Category: music

“Can the New York Philharmonic woo someone who can thrill New Yorkers as much? Someone who can help raise funds in the nine figures for the coming renovation and who can keep audiences in the fold when the orchestra must play elsewhere in New York during at least two seasons of construction?”

“While we respect the judicial process, we are extremely disappointed in the ruling made today, which sets a horrible precedent for music and creativity going forward. Blurred Lines was created from the heart and minds of Pharrell, Robin and T.I. and not taken from anyone or anywhere else. We are reviewing the decision, considering our options and you will hear more from us soon about this matter.”

He is David Bennett, director of the adventurous Gotham Opera in New York. “In New York, Bennett helped build an international reputation for Gotham based on its acclaimed presentations of largely unknown operas in nontraditional and alternative venues.”

“Here’s the situation as I see it, based solely on subjective rune-reading, along with a pinch of happenstance and hearsay.” Tom Service handicaps the possible candidates.

“After all the fuss and fanfare of last week’s appointment of Simon Rattle as new music director of the London Symphony Orchestra, the BBC SSO’s announcement is a veritable coup-de-théâtre of understatement. True, Dausgaard isn’t the household name that Rattle is, and the BBCSSO isn’t saddled with the hype and politics of London’s flagship orchestra. But it would be wrong to mistake the unshowy Dausgaard for any kind of musical lightweight.”

“Dame Evelyn, who played at the opening of the London 2012 Olympics, was the first person in history to have a full-time career as a solo percussionist. … Harris, from Birmingham, Alabama, has recorded more than 25 albums over four decades and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2008.”

“The ENO, widely viewed as in crisis, has employed Cressida Pollock” – a management consultant from McKinsey and Co. – “as its interim head, quietly adding a new layer of authority above artistic director John Berry.”

“Christgau – who under the influence of a glass of iced coffee was sometimes so intense that he would not let his interlocutor finish a sentence – spoke from his home in New York” with Scott Timberg.

“Fifteen years ago, full-time orchestra members numbered 98 — 96 players and the two librarians. BSO members would like that level restored, something that would take a boost to the orchestra’s $27 million budget.”

“Rattlemania, egged on by a self-interested cultural mafia, has got out of hand. The problem with the arts in the UK is there is no concrete policy for music and the other art forms.”