Laura Bleiberg, dance critic at the Orange County Register for more than 18 years, is leaving her position for a job in the nonprofit world. Her departure leaves the Los Angeles area without a single full-time dance critic.
Author: sbergman
Australian Gallery Gets Record-Setting Gift
Australian collector John Kaldor is donating his entire AUS$35m art stash to the Art Gallery of New South Wales. “It is the most valuable single gift of artworks given to an Australian gallery and the country’s most important private collection of contemporary art.”
Inside The Mind Of A Russian Legend
The diaries of Russian composer Sergei Prokofiev will be published for the first time next week, and in them are found not only ruminations on music, but political diatribes, thoughts on the future direction of composition, and an anecdote about “screaming at Stravinsky to make him lose control.”
Dance Evolving Slowly But Surely In China
“Money’s tight, crowds are small and everything has to get past the censor. Yet modern dance is catching on in China… Modern dance was banned in China until 1980, and it has only grown through the efforts of a few exceptional individuals, and the importing of western ideas.”
Depends On Your Definition Of “Enough,” Apparently
Laura Cumming says that the UK’s Culture Minister is off base complaining that there aren’t enough women in top arts jobs in Britain. “We’ve heard it all before – glass ceilings, obstacle races, no room for women at the top… Leaving aside these gross stereotypes, what about the actual truth of Hodge’s claims?”
The Two Kevin Spaceys
On the one hand, Kevin Spacey is a bona fide Hollywood star who makes millions appearing in big-budget film projects. On the other hand, Kevin Spacey is the director of London’s Old Vic theater, who claims that his interest in movies is dwarfed by his love of serious stage work. “Unfortunately, the necessarily guarded demeanour of a media-hounded Hollywood star is not an asset for someone trying to make his way as a London artistic director.”
MySpace To Join Online Music Market
“Networking site MySpace is to launch an online music service in partnership with three major music companies… Users of the new service will be able to listen to music and watch music videos free of charge, while paying a fee to download music.”
Inter-Orchestra Row Brewing Among Kiwis
A regional orchestra in New Zealand has been stirring up debate recently, claiming that too much government funding goes to the Wellington-based New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, at the expense of smaller groups that need the funds more. Now, the NZSO’s CEO is firing back, and the media have picked up the scent…
A Violin Star Steps Outside The Comfort Zone
Classical musicians usually hold themselves aloof from other genres, but violinist Hilary Hahn has recently been forging some unconventional (and musically fascinating) partnerships with indie rockers and singer-songwriters.
Vengerov To Exchange His Fiddle For A Stick
Violinist Maxim Vengerov is one of the world’s best, but repeated shoulder injuries have sidelined him often in recent years. Now, Vengerov says he will put down his violin completely to focus on his other love, conducting.