“Zimerman’s entrance into the political fray was hardly unique. Consider his countryman, Ignacy Jan Paderewski, the pianist and composer who became so involved in Polish politics that he was elected prime minister in 1919. Or composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein, who refused to accept an award at the White House from President George H.W. Bush in 1989.”
Author: Laura Collins Hughes
Frankie Manning, Ebullient Lindy Hopper, Dies At 94
“Frankie Manning, a master of swing-era dance who went from the Savoy Ballroom in Harlem to Broadway and Hollywood, and then after a long break enjoyed a globe-trotting second career as an inspirational teacher and choreographer of the Lindy hop, died on Monday in Manhattan.” (WIth WNET video.)
Will New York Times Sell Its Classical Radio Station?
“Beethoven and Bach could become the latest victims of the New York Times Co.’s financial crisis. Rumors are raging that top suits have discussed putting classical radio station WQXR (96.3 FM) on the block to shore up the company’s dwindling cash stash, which, The Post reported last week, is down to $34 million after debts are weighed in.”
9 To 5 Tops Drama Desk Noms; Norman, Ruined Lead Plays
“Musical ‘9 to 5’ racked up 15 noms for the 54th annual Drama Desk Awards, the most of any Broadway or Off Broadway production ever nominated by the legit org. … The Broadway revival of ‘The Norman Conquests’ and the Off Broadway preem of ‘Ruined’ led the pack of plays with five mentions each.”
This Year’s List Of U.S. Sites, Structures Most Worth Saving
“[W]hen the National Trust for Historic Preservation assembles its annual roster of America’s most endangered historic places, it looks for more than aesthetic distinction. Each year the trust selects what it considers important examples of the nation’s architectural, cultural and natural heritage that are at risk of being destroyed or irreparably damaged.” The 2009 list is unveiled.
Turner Shortlist Released; Crystal Cave Artist Is On It
“Roger Hiorns, who transformed a condemned south London flat into a cavern filled with eerie blue crystals, is among the four artists nominated for the 2009 Turner prize, it was announced this morning. Also on the list is Enrico David, 43, … who creates collages, drawings and sculpture; Glasgow-based Lucy Skaer, 34, who often bases her drawings on photojournalism; and Richard Wright, 49, a maker of sparse, delicately crafted wall paintings who is also based in Glasgow.”
Sotheby’s Extends Reductions, Cutting Dividend, More Jobs
“Sotheby’s, the world’s largest auctioneer by sales, will slash its dividend to 20 cents a year from 60 cents and plans further job cuts to reduce costs because of a decline in the art market and the wider economy. The company aims for a further 5 percent drop in global headcount following a 15 percent reduction being achieved under cuts announced last year. Executive pay is being squeezed by at least 10 percent….”
Proposed: Let’s Leave Readings Out Of Literary Education
“If I could make one wish for the members of my profession, college and university professors of literature, I would wish that for one year, two, three, or five, we would give up readings. By a reading, I mean the application of an analytical vocabulary — Marx’s, Freud’s, Foucault’s, Derrida’s, or whoever’s — to describe and (usually) to judge a work of literary art. I wish that we’d declare a moratorium on readings. I wish that we’d give readings a rest.”
Turners, In China, Could Leave British On Hook For Millions
“The decision to send more than a hundred paintings by the English Romantic artist J M W Turner to be exhibited in Beijing … was a hugely symbolic move,” but it’s “looking limp” already. “The Foreign Office had to make an emergency request to the Treasury for permission to underwrite the near-priceless collection against loss or damage … when the Chinese made it clear they would not accept any financial responsibility for the paintings.”
Is UK’s Regional Theatre In Danger Of Obsolescence?
“The last few years have been a boom time for regional theatre buildings, but has it been a boom time for regional theatre itself? Behind the glossy new facades, there are growing concerns…. [I]f these theatres are no longer at the heart of training, and are increasingly expensive to run, do they still serve a purpose in our theatre culture?”