Category: music

Following a trend around America, Washington DC public radio classical music station WETA pares down its broadcasts of classical music. Is it true that “public radio listeners have demanded more news; that folks driving home at night want news and not music, certainly not classical music; and that classical music listeners aren’t the best pledge donors?” – Washington Post

“What could well be the Bachfest to end all Bachfests is about to begin on London’s South Bank, where, within the space of a month, Andras Schiff will be programming, playing, directing and conducting the solo works, concertos, suites, cantatas, and Passion-music of a composer with whom he has lived all his life.” – The Times (UK)

Glyndebourne’s touring opera, founded in 1968, has not only helped dispel the more famous summer festival’s reputation as an elitist playground; it has also launched some notable talents – Pavarotti, Roberto Alagna, and Simon Rattle’s conducting debut. “This is the other side of Glyndebourne. This is a world of low ticket prices, orchestras in improvised pits (or no pit at all), box offices that have to juggle selling opera seats with marketing their own Christmas pantomimes, and distraught divas.” – The Independent (UK)

The name-the-next-New-York-Philharmonic-music-director game continues. Peter G. Davis takes a look at the contenders. “I wouldn’t count out anything in this latest crazy round of musical chairs. When I left Barenboim’s hotel suite, who should be ushered in, with a hungry look in his eye, but Zarin Mehta?” – New York Magazine

The Welsh National Opera has almost no money. So the company has found other ways to dress up its productions and make them a critical success. – The Guardian

Yehudi Menuhin had a turbulent life, the result, claims a new biography, of a tortured childhood as a child prodigy. “Yehudi was barred from all games to preserve his hands. He was not allowed a bicycle, and did not cross the road unaccompanied until he was 18. He had only one day at school, and was tutored at home along with his brilliant younger sisters, Hephzibah and Yaltah. It could not have been a more abnormal childhood.” – The Scotsman

Despite ongoing government surveillance, new music is flowing more freely in China due in large part to the internet. Piracy is rampant, but some say illegal copies are the only way around decades of censorship. “Even today, anyone who records a CD has to submit its lyrics on paper to state censors for their approval. ‘If the government wants to dictate what we should listen to, we have no choice but to rely on pirated stuff.’” – Newsweek (International Edition)

There are signs that the Philadelphia Orchestra’s long search for a new music director might soon be over. Recent contenders? “Many members of the orchestra would love James Levine to be named. Occasional guest conductor Christoph Eschenbach is now on the lips of informed pundits. There’s the possibility that Vladimir Ashkenazy, who will guest conduct later this season, could be a dark horse. Likewise for Neeme Järvi. Then there are names discussed in months past, but not lately: Christian Thielemann and Riccardo Chailly.” – Philadelphia Inquirer

The San Jose Symphony recently gave its musicians a 7 percent pay increase. But the orchestra has a growing deficit, and the budget is on a collision course with reality. “The 121-year-old ensemble can’t afford the increases – but can’t afford not to give them.” – San Jose Mercury News

San Francisco Opera premieres Jake Heggie and Terrence McNally’s new opera “Dead Man Walking” this week. The opera’s topicality figures to be controversial – it’s not some classic tale from the distant past safely removed. – Los Angeles Times