Like anywhere, New York has a shortage of rehearsal space. So the raves are pouring in for a new $29.6 million rehearsal center on 42nd Street that hasn’t even opened yet. “It’s the first building built specifically for a range of art forms, and for both nonprofit and commercial uses.” – New York Times
Author: Douglas McLennan
RECONSIDERING VON KARAJAN
Herbert von Karajan made and sold more records than any other conductor in history, he changed the way people listened to music, and changed the public’s expectations of a concert. But he was also a problematic figure – autocratic and politically suspect. A new biography attempts to wade through a sea of charged conceptions about the man. – Boston Globe
“GATSBY” REVEALED
A new version of “Great Gatsby” surfaces – this the pre-edit draft that gives some insight into the creation of the man. “This early version is Gatsby before the final fitting: That gorgeous pink rag of a suit is baggy in places; in that soft, rich heap of beautiful shirts, some have collars that are too loose and sleeves a touch too long.” – New York Observer
MANAGING UNCERTAINTY
“At some date in the future, the book industry will look back on the middle of the year 2000 as a period in purgatory. From some perspectives, e-books appear to be a golden goose, an innovative medium to attract a new audience of young, hip, computer-savvy readers. But, from other points of view, these digitized ‘products’ seem to be soulless replacements for the ink-on-paper friends of a lifetime.” – Chicago Tribune
TAKING A BITE OUT OF HISTORY
Jacques Barzun’s ambitious new book attempting to contextualize 500 years of history is getting warm reviews everywhere. “In his gigantic tome, Barzun wades willfully into the miasma known as cultural history. Along the way he discovers the swampy depths – and the occasional high ground – of Western life. ‘I don’t believe that history is cyclical,’ he says. ‘It’s much more mixed up.’ His operative metaphor is a kaleidoscope, not a Ferris wheel.” – Washington Post
HELP OR HURT?
Critics charge that Napster is killing the recorded music business. But the company says it actually promotes sales of recorded music. So who’s right? – Wired
THE REAL HEAVY METAL
Turns out the symphony orchestras – not rock bands – are the greatest threat to keeping your hearing. “I have measured levels in excess of 126 decibels on the right shoulder of the piccolo player at the National Ballet. Given that human conversation registers 60 decibels and a vacuum cleaner approximately 80 decibels, those sitting to the right of piccolo players are at obvious risk.” – The Globe and Mail (Canada)
CURSED CROSSOVER
The classical music world has sunk so low that it’s pandering to whatever gimmicks it thinks will sell recordings. Pavarotti is bad enough, but when the Berlin Philharmonic defaces itself… – The Telegraph (UK)
CHANGE OF BUSINESS
“For once, we’re ahead of the technological curve instead of behind it, which is interesting for an 18th century art form.” – San Francisco Chronicle
RECONSIDERING VON KARAJAN
Herbert von Karajan made and sold more records than any other conductor in history, he changed the way people listened to music, and changed the public’s expectations of a concert. But he was also a problematic figure – autocratic and politically suspect. A new biography attempts to wade through a sea of charged conceptions about the man. – Boston Globe