The Tampa-based Florida Orchestra is battling the tide of red ink that has swamped so many American ensembles in recent years, and to hear orchestra officials tell it, the group is on the comeback trail, following a difficult season in which the musicians were forced to reopen their contract early and accept a pay cut. But with one of the orchestra’s key wind principals set to leave for the more financially secure San Diego Symphony, and rumors constantly swirling that music director Stefan Sanderling is being wooed by other ensembles, it’s proving difficult for the organization to shake the taint of its recent troubles. Still, Sanderling insists that he’s in this fight for the long haul.
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Damage Control
When the Long Island Philharmonic canceled the remainder of its 2003-04 season earlier this month for fiscal reasons, questions about the viability of a small-budget regional orchestra playing in the shadow of New York’s juggernaut of a music scene were inevitable. But the orchestra’s chairman insists that the arts are as valuable on Long Island as they are in Manhattan, and is calling on state and local government to increase their commitment to funding regional arts groups. Larry Austin also denies reports that the Philharmonic is in danger of permanent collapse, saying that the decision to cancel this season’s last concerts will make the orchestra stronger overall.
Eddie Palmieri, Salsa King
“Born in Manhattan of Puerto Rican parents in 1936, Eddie Palmieri is salsa’s maverick genius and the winner of seven Grammy awards. With the passing of the great band leader Tito Puente, this one-time enfant terrible has become salsa’s elder statesman. Yet, while Afro-Cuban music’s overwhelming impact on 20th-century music is now universally acknowledged, for most of us salsa is simply great party music – sexy, stylish, but not much more than that. Palmieri represents Latin music at its most intellectual, but isn’t the whole idea of “deep salsa” a contradiction in terms?”
Industry See, Industry Do
The British Phonographic Industry apparently likes what it has seen of the techniques employed by its American counterpart in combating online music piracy. File-swapping is down in the U.S. since the industry began publicly suing individual offenders, and now, the BPI is warning UK swappers that a similar fate could befall them if they don’t curb their habit of acquiring copyrighted music without paying.
Art – A Popular Investment Once Again
“After several years of seeing stocks and shares take a battering, more than one million Londoners have invested in art instead, researchers have found. Last year the capital spent more than £523 million on art. A quarter of Londoners questioned in a survey said they had bought into “alternative investments”, such as art and antiques.”
Say Hi To Electronic Paper
The first electronic paper is ready for the consumer market. “This ‘first ever’ Philips’ display utilizes E Ink’s revolutionary electronic ink technology which offers a truly paper-like reading experience with contrast that is the same as newsprint. The Electronic Paper Display is reflective and can be easily read in bright sunlight or dimly lit environments while being able to be seen at virtually any angle – just like paper. Its black and white ink-on-paper look.”
Barnes To Sell Country Estate?
Should the Barnes Foundation sell off a valuable country estate in order to raise money? “I don’t think anyone relishes the thought of selling assets. But, do you abandon a gallery and art education program… or a farm house that [Barnes] used on weekends for a few years and the sale of which would save his trust?”
Artist Paints Iceberg Red
A Danish artist has painted an iceberg bright red. “Chilean-born artist Marco Evaristti mixed 3,000 litres of the red dye with sea water and used three firehoses, two icebreakers and a 20-person crew to spray a floating, 900-metre-square chunk of ice, located off the coast of western Greenland.”
Can Iraq National Museum Open In A Year?
Iraq’s culture minister says the country’s National Museum could open within a year, so that Iraqis have a chance to see the museum’s artwork before it is sent on worldwide tour. “The reopening of the museum will take place within a year to show Iraqis the treasures of Nimrod, which the people have never seen because Saddam Hussein hid them.” Progress on reopening the looted damaged museum has been slow because of security concerns.
Lots Of Money, Too Little Art
So the art market has rebounded, and sales are strong. Only one problem – there isn’t enough quality art to satisfy the demand.