Category: music

The European Union, known on the continent primarily for governmental overreach and excessive bureaucracy, is about to ban pipe organs. Seriously. “The reason? Organ pipes contain large amounts of lead, and the wind that blows through them is generated by electricity (rather than the older method of people pumping bellows behind the organ). The new directive, to come into force in July, limits the proportion of hazardous substances like lead, mercury or cadmium to 0.1 percent of a finished product that works on electricity.” The law was not intended to apply to pipe organs, but officials have continually refused to create a broad exemption, saying that each organ manufacturer must apply separately to be exempted.

As the French government tries to force Apple to give up the exclusivity of its iTunes technology, there will doubtless be many criticisms coming from the American business world. After all, goes the capitalist argument, Apple created this technology, so why should it be forced to share with less innovative companies? But music consumers may regret siding with Apple in the long run. “French lawmakers want to protect the consumer from one or two companies holding the keys to all of its culture, just as Microsoft holds the keys to today’s desktop computers.”

A rare Stradivarius violin has been returned after 21 years. “The instrument, which dates from 1725, had disappeared from the Dallas Symphony Orchestra in 1985. The violin resurfaced when it was put up for sale at auctioneers Bonhams, which struck a deal with the vendor to see it returned to the orchestra.”

The Azmari Quartet was informed in February that its contract as the resident ensemble at Northern Kentucky University would be terminated in June, due to a lack of funding. But when the news was made public, donors began to come forward, and this week, the Azmari, made up of musicians from the Cincinnati Symphony, was told that enough money had been raised to save the residency for the foreseeable future.

Apple is criticizing plans by the French parliament to force it to unlock iTunes songs so they can be played on any MP3 player. “In a statement Apple said that if the law were passed it would result in state-sponsored piracy”.

The Louisville Orchestra averted catastrophe earlier this week with the approval of a new concessionary contract with its musicians. But the ensemble isn’t out of the fiscal woods yet. “Unless substantial amounts of money can be raised on a regular basis, the endemic problems of the orchestra are unlikely to fade away. Serious questions remain about whether Louisville can or should support such a large full-time orchestra. The short-term fix doesn’t answer them. Nor does it resolve the challenge of leadership.”

So what exactly did the musicians of the Louisville Orchestra give up to save their ensemble from bankruptcy? AJ Blogger Drew McManus has the details: “Among the larger concessions are reductions in base pay and season length. By the end of the five year agreement the base musician pay will be $743 less than the 2005-2006 concert season.” In addition, musicians will lose between 3 and 7 of their 11 allowed sick days, depending on seniority, a major concern in an industry where musician injuries are rampant.

San Jose’s summer jazz festival calls itself the “largest free jazz festival in the United States.” But that designation may be about to change. The festival may have to start charging: $5 a person for an all-day pass. “The reason for the charge: rising operational fees coupled with a loss of corporate sponsors Ford, Chevron and Applied Materials. The festival costs almost $1 million and, much to their disappointment, organizers said, only $60,000 comes from a city that has just designated $4 million for a car race.”

So there are currently three tenors on the UK Top Ten charts. Or are there? “Just because somebody sings something in Italian doesn’t mean it’s opera. I suppose you could call them tenors, but don’t call them operatic tenors. Their voices are not good enough and most of the repertoire is desperate.”

The French parliament has passed legislation to force iTunes to open up its digital format. “MPs backed a draft law to force Apple, Sony and Microsoft to share their proprietary copy-protection systems by 296 to 193 votes. The aim is to ensure that digital music can be played on any player, regardless of its format or source.”