A newly immigrated music professor only a few weeks on the job in Israel, finds an important manuscript of Mahler’s First Symphony. It’s not the final version that made it into print, but it reveals much about the composer’s thinking process in composing the work.
Author: Douglas McLennan
More Than Just A Building
The Los Angeles Philharmonic is a firmly establisheed orchestra, but its move into the new Gehry-designed Disney Hall next season will transform its existence. “Overall in 2003-04, the Philharmonic will present almost 50% more programming than in the past. It plans nine world premieres, a season record for the orchestra. It will present two major international orchestras, and a stellar lineup of guest conductors including Pierre Boulez, Christoph von Dohnányi, Valery Gergiev and Charles Dutoit. It will unveil five new music series from Baroque concerts to jazz and world music programs, and launch partnerships with such organizations as CalArts, the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Getty Research Institute.” And oh, want to get in on opening ceremonies? It’ll cost you as much as $5,000.
Conductor Swap
The Los Angeles Philharmonic and San Francisco Symphony will trade music directors for a program each next season. SFS’s Michael Tilson Thomas hasn’t led the LA Phil since 1985, when he was the orchestra’s principal guest conductor. The LA Phil’s Essa-Pekka Salonen will be making his SFS debut. “The conductor exchange is a rare event among American orchestras, whose music directors seldom guest-conduct other orchestras in this country.”
Producers Cooling Down?
The Producers is showing signs of slowing ticket demand on Broadway. Blockbuster musicals usually go years before running out of steam at the box office, but Producers is only two seasons old. “Advance ticket sales going into January and February have slipped; the overall advance is under $10 million (it was once over $20 million); and, according to ticket brokers, demand for group sales tickets has declined markedly.”
The Union Label
With all the new hybrid shows opening on Broadway, the definition of a Broadway show is changing. So which unions represent which performers? Actors? Musicians? Dancers? As usual, it’s a matter of money.
The Work Continues – It’s The Critics Who Change
Edward Albee had brilliant success early in his career, but then went through a period where he couldn’t do much right, at least as far as the critics were concerned. Then he was golden again. Albee, 74, maintains that the quality of his writing didn’t much vary during those wilderness years. The only difference was the critical reception. Similarly he was, and still is, driven by the same motives, still irked by the same social faults.”
The Work Continues – It’s The Critics Who Change
Edward Albee had brilliant success early in his career, but then went through a period where he couldn’t do much right, at least as far as the critics were concerned. Then he was golden again. Albee, 74, maintains that the quality of his writing didn’t much vary during those wilderness years. The only difference was the critical reception. Similarly he was, and still is, driven by the same motives, still irked by the same social faults.”
Art Critics – Underworked, Underpaid
So what does you average art critic look like? The National Arts Journalism Program has produced a new report with some answers. “For starters, most art critics make less than half their annual income writing criticism. Only 40 percent of those surveyed are employed as full-time critics, yet 75 percent function as chief art critics for their publications. Furthermore, some of the nation’s largest daily papers do not have full-time art critics. The most notable example is USA Today, Gannett’s national newspaper with a circulation of 2.3 million. Most critics are older than 45 and make less than $25,000 a year from their work as critics.”
Royal Collecting/Royal Inertia
The British Royal Collection has 7000 paintings in it. But what has Queen Elizabeth added to it in her 50 years on the throne? Twenty pictures. “Although the scale of acquisitions may be modest, no reigning monarch has done much better since Queen Victoria, and the record under Edward VII, George V and George VI was equally disappointing.”
Ken’s Art/Frank’s Building
Ken Thomson’s $370 million gift to the Art Gallery of Ontario will help make possible a $178 million rebuild of the museum by Frank Gehry. Gehry grew up in Toronto before leaving for the US in 1947, but up til now hasn’t designed anything for his hometown. “The Thomson-Gehry alliance is a magical one. The men enjoy a relaxed jocularity together and their admiration for each other is easy to read.”