Category: music

In 2009, the state signed a contract to purchase the venerable concert hall from then-owner Hubert Martigny for €60.5 million. Now his estranged wife (and the hall’s former artistic director), Carla Maria Tarditi, is arguing that the price was artificially low and that the Pleyel is worth at least €110 million (to part of which she would be entitled in the divorce settlement). (in French)

“Featuring interviews with jazz greats, and concert video-casts from festivals and clubs nationwide, Jazz Night in America, a new initiative in jazz programming, began Wednesday. A joint endeavor of National Public Radio, Jazz at Lincoln Center and the Newark radio station WBGO (88.3 FM), it will bring jazz to audiences through its website, video and webcasts, as well as on radio.”

“The cellist, who has barely slept, searches his laptop for a secret recording of a former symphony executive. The clarinetist is gone, joining two other musicians now playing in the New York Philharmonic. And the percussionist, who practiced all summer for a star turn that may never come, spent a recent morning packing bottles at a local brewery. He got $45 and, he adds, a case of ale.”

“The reinvention of the orchestra – from an ensemble that had virtually shut down around the time of the NATO bombing campaign to one that has current international tours and dreams of expansion at home – has often been unconventional.”

The orchestra’s members voted unanimously to use the award to digitize its historic archives, which includes program leaflets, correspondence, and autographed manuscripts and scores.

“A group of music industry figures, worried about the flight of music production and related jobs from New York to states like Texas and Tennessee, is encouraging the State Legislature to pass a bill to give $60 million in tax breaks each year to studios, record companies and others involved in the creation of music.”

“The West Australia Opera’s planned production of Bizet’s Carmen has been cancelled over fears it would jeopardise a $400,000 partnership with a government health agency.”

The Canadian conductor will step down as music director when his contract ends in 2016, so as “to better coordinate his commitments to orchestral music and opera, as well as his work in North America and Europe as his schedule as a guest conductor picks up.”

“In 2009-10 the Chamber Music Society [of Lincoln Center] gave 35 concerts along with 31 tour dates; the 2014-15 season boasts 54 concerts at home and 68 on tour. … Over the past five years their endowment has risen to $37 million from $31 million; contributor income is up 88%, and subscription sales have increased by 31%.” Stuart Isacoff looks at how they do it.

“The orchestra’s recently released 2013 annual report warns that unless the orchestra receives immediate government support, [it] is in danger of folding by 2016. Now, whether that’s a substantive fear or Met-like, Peter Gelb-style brinkmanship remains to be seen, but it’s clear that Gatti is coming into an orchestra that’s artistically at the top of its game, yet financially threatened as never before.”