Category: music

“Apple’s iTunes music store has been blocked in China, allegedly due to some athletes listening to protest songs.”

“The honour, bestowed by the UN cultural body, Unesco, acknowledges the city’s musical past and its role in music-making, performance and enjoyment. A new body, Glasgow City of Music, will be set up to help the city’s music community fulfil its potential.”

What would happen if no one was in charge of the band? If anyone could be part of the band? And if the music that came out of the band was written by whomever was playing in the band? This is Guitar Solutions…

“It is possible to listen to music–and I would argue that such listening might ultimately be more fruitful–without being distracted by anything, including preconceptions about what you like and what you don’t like (personal taste) as well as what you think is right and wrong (received opinion).”

What is the unique appeal of the modern youth orchestra? How good are they really? And do they guarantee the survival of classical music?

The number of theaters and performing arts venues nationwide will hit 440, up 30% from last year, and the number of operas is rising from eight to 11. The 2008-09 season will be the third featuring the “Live in HD” simulcasts.

“Are Katie Melua, Celine Dion and Elton John the Mozart, Handel and Tchaikovsky of our generation? Quite possibly, according to Classic FM and record label UCJ Music. The two companies claim that – with classical crossover artists such as Rhydian and Andrea Bocelli breaking down traditional pop and classical boundaries, and Sting recording music by 16th-century composer John Dowland – a whole new musical genre is being formed.”

I’ve been here to watch rehearsals and to talk to the players, trying to find out what makes the relationship between Claudio Abbado and his musicians tick. And I think I’ve got some answers.

“Barenboim’s reflections on the enterprise reveal that it was never more than a noble folly. Is there a connection between art and fractious life? Does music actually have the power to sponsor brotherhood, as Beethoven claimed in the boisterous finale of his ninth symphony? Only metaphorically…”

“When composers have tried to set Shakespeare, they have run up against the problem that his verse creates music in the mind, next to which even the most inspired efforts may be found wanting. Nonetheless, the number of Shakespeare operas runs well into the hundreds.”