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Spain’s Architectural Renaissance

Architecture in Spain under Francisco Franco was dreadful. “Franco’s idea of great architecture was a deadening, nationalistic sort of classical kitsch. Modern architecture, for the most part, was just something for the tourists — mile after banal mile of hotels that were degrading to local culture and the fine beaches they were built on. And, yet, here we are. Spain today is an international stage for architectural innovation and experimentation.”

Cure For The Phony Writer

Is there a cure for the fraud and misrepresentation by prominent authors? Bob Hoover suggests that it’s too much of a focus on the writers’ backstories. “The more outrageous the incidents, the darker the personal descent, the more heroic the climb to redemption combined with the acting talent to perform in front of a camera — that’s what makes ‘a writer!’ It doesn’t, of course. I suggest, for a change, that we try getting back to the books themselves and appreciate again the pure experience of reading.”

Richard Rogers And His Swirl Of Projects

Now in his 70s, architect Richard Rogers has more projects than he has time. There’s the huge addition to New York’s convention center, of course. “There are big projects, like Madrid Airport, or Terminal Five at Heathrow, or the competition to redesign Darling Harbour, Sydney (they’re down to the last five); and there are small ones, like a £60,000 house (to prove that inexpensive housing can be other than Disneyfied), or a Maggie’s Centre, up the road from the office.”

The Grammy Hawaiian That Doesn’t Fit

Last week’s Grammy award for best Hawaiian album has provoked controversy. “No sooner had the award been announced, Hawaiian discussion boards, phone lines and radio shows began buzzing with the controversy: Slack key may be a Hawaiian art form, but it has won both years, and will most likely keep winning precisely because it is the Hawaiian style with which most non-Hawaiians — and most Grammy voters — are most familiar.”

Baroque-Style Program Squeeze

When Wu Han and David Finckel took over the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, they faced a programming challenge. The Society has traditionally performed all of the Brandenburg Concertos on a single program each year. But should the tradition continue? “Half of the board members told me, ‘If you cancel the “Brandenburgs,” I’m not supporting you.’ The other half said, ‘If I hear another six “Brandenburg” concertos, I’m going to go crazy’.”