Though he won a Pulitzer in 1995 reporting for The Wall Street Journal on the conditions of facing low-wage workers, he was best known for his books combining personal travel and history, often following himself the path of historical figures. His most famous volume, Confederates in the Attic, is now used in many a college course. – NPR
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Gerard Schwarz Named Music Director Of Palm Beach Symphony
The 71-year-old conductor, formerly music director of the Seattle Symphony, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, and the Mostly Mozart Festival at Lincoln Center, will take over in Palm Beach this fall. He has also accepted a faculty appointment at the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music. – South Florida Sun Sentinel
Berlin Has Become A New Capital Of Contemporary Chinese Culture
“An array of Chinese artists and writers, performers and filmmakers — all up to no good by the standards of Beijing’s morality police — [are] hungrily taking in the many crazy, dissolute subcultures Berlin has to offer. The city’s affordable housing, the country’s special visa for freelancers and artists, and German-government support for a few of China’s best-known creatives have meant that some of the most interesting developments in modern Chinese culture are happening as much in Berlin as in Beijing.” – The Atlantic
Robert Bernstein, Longtime CEO Of Random House And Co-Founder Of Human Rights Watch, Dead At 96
“Under his direction, Random House expanded into the world’s largest general-interest publisher, increasing revenue from $40 million in 1966, when he was named president, to more than $800 million in 1989, when he was forced into retirement. … For decades, he spent what few free hours he had promoting human rights, a passion that deepened in the 1970s when he visited Moscow with a delegation of American publishers.” – The Washington Post
Countless Historic Sites In Italy Ravaged By Looting, Vandalism, And Plain Old Neglect
“The country boasts the highest number of UNESCO world heritage sites in the world, but according to EU statistics is second-last in Europe for public funding of culture. As a consequence, parts of its immense heritage – which have survived earthquakes and wars” – have essentially been abandoned. – The Guardian
Collectors Bought Rare Antique Manuscripts, Only To Find Out They’re From French Public Archives
Until it went bankrupt in 2015 after its founder was prosecuted for money laundering and fraud, the French company Aristophil held the world’s largest private collection of historic manuscripts. For the past 18 months, auctioneers have been liquidating that collection — but now 900 lots have been withdrawn because they are, in fact, stolen government property. – The Art Newspaper
The Rehabilitation Of Antonio Salieri (Modestly)
“Two centuries of calumny have created sympathy for the musical devil: I found Salieri’s grave festooned with bouquets. These were evidence that the man and his music are enjoying a modest comeback.” – The New Yorker
Why Our Notions Of Cultural Heritage Are Problematic
“Whether we look at political, economic or military capital, one thing is clear. Heritage is a top-down idea – it is defined and used by the most powerful members of society, rather than by society as a whole. Cultural heritage tells people – it does not ask them – what they should care about. How can we change this?” – Aeon
Where Everybody Knows Your Name: The Art Of The Regular Patron
“No matter the establishment — cafe, trattoria, dive bar, coffeehouse, doughnut shop, pharmacy, even — those who make themselves permanent fixtures almost all say the same thing about what makes a regular. When they walk in, the people behind the counter know who they are.” – The New York Times
Artist Peter Max Has Dementia. Those Around Him Saw Opportunity To Profit Big
“For five years and counting — the latest lawsuit came Friday — the artist’s family, friends and associates have been trading lurid courtroom allegations of kidnapping, hired goons, attempted murder by Brazil nut, and schemes to wring even more money out of what was already one of the most profitable art franchises in modern times. From Shun Lee to the high seas, the twilight years of Mr. Max’s life have produced a pursuit of art-auction profits and a trail of misfortune as surreal as his trippiest works.” – The New York Times