“Chamber music is not defined by individuals, it is defined by the collective zeitgeist, the pulse of the times. In these times there is an abundance of jazz that resembles modern classical music. It is valued in performances in small concert halls all over the world. To me, that answers the question. If we are talking about Chamber Music AMERICA (and not Asia or Europe) it defies logic to claim that it has no place at the funding table. Jazz IS America. Let’s also remember that jazz is not one thing.”
Blog
New BBC Awards Handed Out
“The Takács Quartet won the disc of the year award at the inaugural BBC Music Awards, presented by the magazine yesterday in London. The Takács was honored for its three-disc recording of Beethoven’s late string quartets, the final installment in its complete Beethoven cycle. The set also won in the chamber music category… Conductor Paavo Järvi and the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra won the orchestral award for a recording of Grieg’s Peer Gynt. A recording of Vivaldi’s Orlando Furioso led by Jean-Christophe Spinosi won the opera award; soloists included soprano Jennifer Larmore.”
Gagosian In Chelsea
Gagosian is opening a big new gallery in Chelsea. “Already the art world’s leader in exhibition space, Gagosian Gallery is converting a warehouse into a gallery in New York’s Chelsea district. This would be Gagosian’s fifth gallery worldwide, its third in New York, and its second in Chelsea, the city’s contemporary-art mecca.”
Chicago Arts Failing To Draw Minority Crowds
A new study conducted by the University of Chicago concludes that the city’s arts organizations are failing to connect with a racially and economically diverse populace, and are drawing most of their support from affluent whites. “Admission fees, hours of operation and transportation are areas institutions may need to reconsider if they wish to broaden attendance, say the researchers.”
Leak In Spain’s Reina Sofia Museum Damages Paintings
Madrid’s Reina Sofia modern art museum opened an acclaimed new wing last September. But there was a serious flaw. “Days before the new wing, designed by France’s leading avant-garde architect Jean Nouvel, was inaugurated by Queen Sofia to international acclaim, drops falling from the ceiling left marks on an important painting by the Spanish master of cubism Juan Gris, Frutero y periodico (fruitbowl and newspaper).”
NY City Ballet Names Nine New Soloists
New York City Ballet has promoted nine dancers to soloist. “The promotions, announced last week, suggest that this is a significant time of growth at the middle level of the company.”
A New Fun-ner BBC?
The BBC is to embark on a new era, with more emphasis on entertainment. “The white paper, the culmination of more than two years of wrangling over the BBC’s future, effectively means that when the corporation’s current charter expires at the end of this year it will have a new charter in place, ensuring its future through 2016. Though Parliament will have a chance to discuss the proposals, they are not subject to legislative approval and are essentially a done deal. Critics and competitors of the BBC said they were disappointed.”
Liverpool’s Capital Culture Plan – Too Many Outsiders?
Lots of money is flowing into Liverpool for its Capital of Culture year. But some of the local artists are complaining: “It’s as if the people running 2008 have no confidence in what’s already here. There are lots of government agendas being worked out. People are getting grants because they are good at filling in forms. But money isn’t coming into the music scene: it’s going to consultants. The clubs that really fuel the music are unfunded and almost off the radar as far as the official bodies are concerned.”
FCC Launches Flurry Of Indecency Fines
America’s FCC has proposed “$3.9 million in fines against scores of television broadcasters for violating federal decency limits, including a record $3.6 million for stations that aired a show depicting group sex. The agency also upheld its decision to fine 20 CBS stations $550,000 for a stunt in which pop singer Janet Jackson exposed her breast during the 2004 Super Bowl halftime show.”
Polygamy Before HBO
HBO’s new show featuring a polygamous family has a downside: “By default, it perpetuates the common notion that the Mormon polygamy was a unique mutation in the history of Christianity. On the contrary, the practice goes back very nearly to the beginning of the church — and it has popped up again, from time to time, sometimes finding the most surprising advocates.”