Category: music

Critical reflections on classical music colonialism – the Milwaukee Symphony’s visit to Havana. – New York Times

This week Cleveland’s Severance Hall reopens after a redo. Makeover for the home of the Cleveland Orchestra includes acoustic and comfort upgrades. – Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

• Every aspect of the new hall considered. – Cleveland Plain Dealer 01/02/00

“About 846 million new CDs were sold last year. But at least six billion MP3 files were downloaded from the Net in the same period. Although a medium still in its infancy, MP3 threatens to effect the most far-reaching changes in the way we listen to, store, think about and (crucially for the music business) pay for music since Thomas Edison recorded Mary Had a Little Lamb onto a wax cylinder in 1877.” – London Telegraph

The Three Tenors road show has gotten embarrassing, especially as heard in a San Jose sports arena through a sound system that must have cost all of $9.98. “Comparing these singers with their decade-old selves is not flattering. The luster has dimmed considerably even from the internationally televised Paris World Cup concert two years ago.” – San Francisco Examiner

• A contrary view: “Heartwarming and often very beautiful. And to hear the unique blend of these three voices in their over-the- top encore of “Torna a Surriento” as the crowd roared is to feel the immensely sensual power of music. It is a lucky universe that boasts these stars.” – San Francisco Chronicle 12/31/99

The biggest thing to happen to music in this century was its evolution into a soundtrack for living. “Before recording, nobody realized how much empty space there was in the world, at work, at home, in the car and bus, in the exercise room and at the neighborhood bar and restaurant, waiting to be filled with music.” – Toronto Globe and Mail

North Americans spent a record amount on concert tickets this year. Here’s a list of the top grossers. – Variety

Time was when classical recording companies vied for any technical advantage. All that’s changed in recent years. Decca was the last to go, selling off its equipment to a pair of entrepreneurs and this week releasing the last of its home-reared sound engineers. An era ends. – London Telegraph

Straining to like John Harbison’s “Gatsby” opening at the Metropolitan Opera. – New York Times

• One of the best operas by an American – a classic. Boston Globe 12/22/99
• Nothing great about “Gatsby” – the dullest new opera of the decade. Toronto Globe and Mail 12/22/99
• Lacking passion Boston Herald 12/22/99
• The Snorin’ 20s Washington Post 12/22/99
• Dazzling songs, well chosen cast, sumptuous production fail to reinvigorate a worn artform San Francisco Chronicle 12/22/99
• An opera of great intelligence, subtlety and expertise. Los Angeles Times 12/22/99
• Enormous skill; elusive effect Cleveland Plain Dealer 12/22/99
• Fatal errors USA Today 12/22/99
• Grim and judgmental view of Gatsby Philadelphia Inquirer 12/22/99
• Fails to digest the heart of the book San Francisco Examiner 12/22/99
• Looks ten, music… Dallas Morning News 12/26/99
• Failing to engage Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 12/22/99
• Skill, subtlety and charm Financial Times 01/04/00
• Disappointing. New York Observer 01/10/00