They were pounding on the doors of the church in Montreal begging to be let in to participate in annual CBC “Messiah” sing-along. – Toronto Globe and Mail
Author: Douglas McLennan
BAD NEWS ON THE RECORDING FRONT
Peter Gelb, president of Sony Classical, delivers the bad news – recording is not a birthright. Better have a real reason to record or just don’t do it. – The Independent
OF CRUMB AND BOULEZ
Big celebrations for Pierre Boulez on his 75th, while George Crumb gets leftovers for his 70th. Not fair, writes Norman Lebrecht. Crumb has had much more influence on the century than his older colleague. – London Telegraph
ALW
As in After-Lloyd-Webber. He’s dominated the British musical theater scene for a generation. But now a new crop of musical theater practitioners have come on the scene and made their presence felt. London Telegraph
SURVIVING AMERICAN MOVIES
French film has survived the Americans but is increasingly threatened. Is the dirty little secret that the French prefer American? Are French movie makers spoiled? What to do, what to do … New York Times
MISUNDERSTANDING IMPRESSIONISM
“As the dwindling of art supplies forces onto the auction scene the less conventional works that were hitherto conveniently ignored, the neat labeling we had become accustomed to becomes increasingly irrelevant.” ARTNewspaper.com
MAKING NEW FRIENDS
The interior makeover of LA’s Norton Simon Museum is aimed at cultivating the art of conversation. Christian Science Monitor
WHY ARE PEOPLE SO QUICK TO DECLARE PAINTING DEAD
A critic goes looking for evidence to the contrary and finds three shows he likes. Financial Times
MARY BOONE ON HER ARREST FOR DISTRIBUTING LIVE AMMO IN HER GALLERY
“Honey, you don’t stage 30 hours in jail as a publicity stunt — not without hair and makeup!” New York Times
MOMA BUYS A VAN GOGH
Museum of Modern Art lost two Van Goghs from its collection last year. Last week bought a drawing for $8.5 million at Sotheby’s. New York Times