Author: Douglas McLennan

CART BEFORE THE HORSE?

It’s somewhat surprising the publishing industry is still betting millions on the future market for e-books, given the dismal performance of the CD-ROM and the fact that reliable e-book technology is still in development. Nevertheless, authors, publishers, online distributors, and e-book middlemen are feverishly trying to stake their claims in the new digital landscape. “Everyone at the table has an eye on someone else’s plate, even before the food has arrived.” – New York Times

WIN THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD AND SELL … 233 COPIES?

Susan Sontag’s “In America” sold only 233 copies for the week ending Nov. 19, “which would reflect only a few days of award buzz. ‘In America’ – which has received mixed reviews – has sold only 3,972 copies since being published in January. Chances are, the award will raise that number, but to judge by the halfhearted reception Sontag got at the ceremony, the book inspires mixed feelings.” – Inside.com

EARLY MUSIC

“In 1912, Thomas Alva Edison, the inventor of the phonograph, funded a massive talent search throughout Europe, with the hope of finding some outstanding artists to record for his own Edison Record Company. More than 300 singers agreed to make two-minute cylinders to give Edison some idea of their voices.” – Public Arts

THE MYTH OF FIRST PERFORMANCE

There’s always been an aura about “The Premiere” of a new piece of music, a sense that, most often with the composer present or involved in some way, that a first performance provides some special window into a work. In reality though, “far from receiving an absolute truth, those present at these revelations were more often given half-glimpses of unpolished works in their infancy. That is, when they could hear the music at all.” – The New Republic

CHAPLIN THE COMPOSER

When Charlie Chaplin won an Oscar for his movie “Limelight,” it wasn’t for his acting but for composing the film’s original score – a talent few of his fans are aware of. “Perhaps because he was so multifaceted – a comic actor of extraordinary imagination, an untiring, perfectionist director, the co-founder of United Artists – it seems unfair that Chaplin had one more talent. But, though it is largely overlooked today, the creator of the ‘Little Tramp’ was an accomplished musician who wrote soundtracks for nearly all of his films.” – The Guardian

RECORD SALES STILL STRONG

Despite the continuing hubbub surrounding Napster’s success, the numbers continue to bear out the same fact: Napster is not hurting record sales. And Christmas CD sales look to be stronger than ever. “Even the cheapest of holiday shoppers isn’t likely to download swapped songs onto a burnt CD and then wrap it up as a gift.” – Salon

OF ACOUSTICS AND ARCHITECTS

Toronto’s main concert hall Roy Thompson Hall, has been criticized since it opened 20 years ago for its bad acoustics. Now there’s a plan to overhaul the acoustic design. But Arthur Erickson, the hall’s architect, strenuously objects to the changes, which he says will subvert his design. – CBC