In a newly-published interview from 2008, the late choreographer chats about technology, iPods, choreographing with the I Ching, and financing early work with mushrooms.
Author: Matthew Westphal
Another Completion of Mozart’s Requiem (And This One’s Postmodern)
Composer Michael Finnissy: “Supposing Mozart was alive now in 2011 and he was looking back at himself in 1791 – what would he have to take account of musically, because we are in a completely different musical period? I imagined Mozart in the present day, working to complete the Requiem, looking back across the centuries which have passed since his death.”
Is It Time For A New Black National Anthem? Asks Touré
“I love ‘Lift Ev’ry Voice,’ it’s a moving song, but it was written in 1900 and chosen by the NAACP to be the Negro National Anthem in 1919, and there may be another song that expresses who we are now a little more sharply.” (He suggests on old Marvin Gaye tune.)
British Theatre’s Champion Canine
“He has never missed a performance, been hailed as a ‘joy to work with’ by his current co-star Su Pollard and is expected to set a world record next week for his 50 years-plus in show business.”
Elaine Paige’s Formidable (Not To Say Fearsome) Charm
“Her reputation as difficult? Where could you have heard that, asks Ms. Paige, groomed to an armored polish in a sweater set and perfectly blow-dried hair and seated at a back table at Sardi’s. And indeed she’s so charming, so earthy and amused and unafraid of telling an impolitic joke, that either she has mellowed, or generations of the local press were wrong.”
When Salvador Dalí Illustrated Alice In Wonderland
“Published by New York’s Maecenas Press-Random House in 1969 and distributed as their book of the month, the volume went on to become one of the most sought-after Dalí suites of all time.”
Google Opens Digital Music Store To Challenge iTunes
“Looking to extend its reach as a hub for entertainment and social networking, Google introduced a set of music features on Wednesday, including a download store to compete with iTunes.”
Donor Offers Money To Enable BBC Rebroadcast Of Singing Detective (And That May Not Help)
“Lord Hollick, the Labour peer and millionaire businessman, has offered to pay the BBC the £5,000 needed to secure a repeat broadcast of Dennis Potter’s drama The Singing Detective to mark its 25th anniversary. However, BBC rules on using donations to pay for programmes may prevent Hollick’s offer being accepted.”
How Rafael Bonachela Got To Live His Dream
“I get up in the morning and it’s like, I’m doing everything in the world that I’ve always wanted to do: I have 16 great dancers and four studios and I’m living in Sydney, a city that is beyond beautiful.” Judith Mackrell gets the choreographer, now artistic director of the Sydney Dance Company, to tell how he got there.
Ai Weiwei Speaks On Tax Evasion Charges
“I was a hostage a half year ago. Now I paid the ransom and I feel [I’m] being robbed – but, you know, officially, eh?”