How is the Nobel Prize for Literature being chosen these days? “More and more, the Nobel Prize has gone to a person who has the correct sex, geographical address, ethnic origin, and political profile—“correct” being determined by the commissars at the Swedish Academy. Laureates like Toni Morrison, Dario Fo, and José Saramago cheapen the Nobel Prize. But this year’s laureate, the Austrian novelist and playwright Elfriede Jelinek (born 1946), marks a new low.”
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The Derrida Divide
When French Deconstructionist Jacques Derrida died las month, the eulogizing was predictable. ” If the response came from outside the academy, it tended to be bemused or critical. If a response came from the purlieus of the professoriate, however, it was likely to be sorrowful, eulogistic, even starry-eyed. There was nothing surprising about this.”
Man Arrested In Van Gogh Murder
The man suspected of killing Dutch film maker Theo van Gogh is a suspected radical Islamist with alleged terrorist links, the Dutch authorities say. The man, aged 26, has dual Dutch and Moroccan citizenship.
Indies Challenge Sony/Bertelsman Merger
Independent European recording companies are challenging the EU’s decision to allow a merger of Sony and Bertelsman. “Impala, the body representing 2,500 indie labels, is appealing to prevent what is calls a ‘market imbalance’. Permission for them to merge meant that 80% of the world’s music is owned by just four records companies.”
How Did The Pompeians Get That Red?
“An Italian researcher has discovered the formula of Pompeian red, the shiny and intense color that dominated Pompeii’s wall paintings 2,000 years ago.” It turns out the secret was in the processing.
Multitaskers Want Music, Not Video
“Consumers want music rather than movies while on the move, says a report. Produced by Jupiter Research the analysis of the portable media player market found only 13% of Europeans want to watch video while out and about. By contrast, almost a third are interested in listening to music on a portable player such as an iPod.”
Lyrics Illegal? Scotland Yard Investigates
“Detectives are investigating claims that lyrics penned by eight leading reggae artists incite violence against homosexuals and are therefore illegal. Lyrics by Beenie Man, Elephant Man and Bounty Killer are among those being scrutinised by Scotland Yard.”
Building Better Buzz Through Touring
“Tours like the San Francisco Symphony’s current two-week stint through Italy, Greece and Spain require large investments of money, time and operational resources, all for the sake of keeping the orchestra in the consciousness of the larger musical world.” The symphony’s executive director, Brent Assink, says touring isn’t just necessary. It’s fundamental.
And Now A Bedtime Story By My Favorite Celeb
Ed Koch, Madonna, John Gotti: Is there a celebrity who’s not writing a children’s book these days? The market is booming, but critics — including longtime children’s authors — point out that kids don’t care if a book was written by someone famous; what they want is a good story.
The Producers Consortium
A look at the making of the London production of The Producers shows how the modern musical is built these days. “Huge producer consortiums are now the norm for modern stage musicals. The single, all-powerful producer exerting full artistic and financial control has become exceptionally rare – Cameron Mackintosh being the notable exception. But most big shows, particularly those that transfer internationally, are financed and packaged like films.”