Category: music

“The Dutch government has proposed that the Muziekcentrum van de Omroep in Hilversum – better known as the Netherlands Broadcasting Music Centre – be closed down. If the Dutch parliament passes the motion, it would mean the closure of a symphony orchestra, a chamber orchestra, [a choir,] the world’s largest pop and jazz orchestra and a library.”

“Philippe Auguin, who made a huge impression on both the orchestra and the audience when he stepped in for ailing then-Music Director Heinz Fricke to lead the concert Götterdämmerung last fall, is now replacing him altogether.”

Buenos Aires musician Ignacio Barchausky is leading a huge project “to save, by digital transfer, some 100,000 recordings made by at least 1,700 artists between 1902 and 1995 …on 78s, LPs and singles, preserved on wax cylinders, shellac, vinyl and tape.”

“The economics of music startups are at a stalemate, not to mention the long-standing infrastructure problems between publishers, rights societies and record labels.”

“She won a $20,000 check and a recording contract from Concord records — reason for her to return to the United States, where we can use some of her judiciousness, her directness, and her wide-eyed stare.”

“Of greater concern is the long-term situation. Will a pattern of illnesses develop that could lead to further cancellations, seriously curtailing Muti’s involvement with the orchestra and his presence in the city?”

No Detroit-style problems down there: HSO musicans have “ratified a four-year-contract that keeps them on stage through the orchestra’s 100th anniversary season. The new agreement freezes salaries for the 86 players at a $1,575 weekly minimum for the first year of the agreement.”

Magnus Lindberg, the New York Philharmonic’s composer-in-residence, led the orchestra’s percussionists to “a junkyard in Staten Island in a search for pieces of metal to play this week at performances of Mr. Lindberg’s Kraft.”

“Musicians feel betrayed and frozen out of decision making; management says the players aren’t listening and aren’t acting responsibly.”

“Acrimony has escalated in recent weeks. The musicians denounced the cancellation of their life insurance and instrument insurance policies once the strike was declared even though players said they were willing to pay the premiums themselves.”