Category: music

“For decades jazz cognoscenti have talked reverently of ‘the Savory Collection.’  … [It] was known to include extended live performances by some of the most honored names in jazz – but only a handful of people had ever heard even the smallest fraction of that music, adding to its mystique.”

“The incident would be risible if this kind of thing were not so prevalent; every concert manager in the land can cite a sheaf of late cancellations and short-change artists reminiscent of the worst days of British Rail. It is a trend that has to be stopped in its tracks.”

And while the curtain calls still elicit boos, Wagner’s great-grand-daughters are moving the iconic festival in new directions.

“It’s been nearly 20 years since the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, a jewel in the crown of Central New York’s cultural establishment, faced such daunting financial hurdles that it ended its season four months early.”

“All you can do is take one piece at a time. The wonderful thing about being a conductor is that you never know anything really. You’re always on the verge of your own ignorance.”

“With three musicians who have held the post of BSO assistant conductor leading the orchestra at Tanglewood this month, it’s a good time to consider just what this job is — what it takes to be successful, where it can lead, and what it can teach.”

“With newspapers round the US shrinking at best, disappearing at worst, critics have become an endangered species. Some may thrive on bloggers’ websites, although these tend to confuse fans with professional commentators and the concept of expertise is blurred. The Rosenberg saga represents an alarming sign of the times.”

“Divorced from a song, words on a page look like poetry–usually bad poetry.” But “without lyrics, the human voice would be just another instrument, yet the process of creating them is one of the most mysterious aspects of composition.”

“It is indisputable that classical-music lovers have never enjoyed such an abundance of great music, performed at levels of consummate artistry. The chronological range of repertoire in the concert hall and on disc has no precedent.”

“Without lyrics, the human voice would be just another instrument, yet the process of creating them is one of the most mysterious aspects of composition.” Wordsmiths for Nashville country, indie rock, Broadway, contemporary opera and hip-hop offer glimpses into how they do it.