Category: music

“While those born in the Sixties may cling to notions of pop’s ‘importance’, younger generations appear far less obsessive or even interested. Many argue that computer games, the internet and social media have filled the gap where buying vinyl and the music weeklies used to be.”

“The most exciting music being created today is not the product of a single compositional aesthetic or the work of just one segment of the population. (Pick your prejudice and throw it away.) It cannot be contained geographically or be hermetically sealed up in impenetrable genre boxes.”

“Some concerts are drawn from a self-produced season that musicians put together. Others were assembled from scratch. Neu said that he, CEO Michael Henson and a group of musicians worked on the program.”

“After leading English National Opera to arguably its most successful and consistent period of musical achievement in for the last 20 years or so, the company has announced this morning that its music director, Edward Gardner, will leave ENO at the end of the 2014/15 season after eight years in the job.”

“Budding Mozarts will be able to submit their melodies via a specially designed website www.tweetfonie.de, which goes live from February 28, with an online keyboard that converts tunes into tweet format, to then be sent on Twitter.”

“For a nation with a century-and-a-half of substantial orchestral compositions, this is a disgrace. Orchestra conductors and musicians are largely unaware of — and show little interest in — any but the handful of the most well-worn pieces.”

Mark Vanhoenacker: “When it comes to classical music and American culture, the fat lady hasn’t just sung. Brünnhilde has packed her bags and moved to Boca Raton.” (No, actually. She got a makeover and moved to downtown Brooklyn.) Readers are arguing back in the comments, so join the battle, comrades!

“The Berlin Philharmonic have decided to mark the passing of their former Chief Conductor by making all of his concerts in their Digital Concert Hall free to view for anyone who cares to pay an online visit.”

“For the sixth straight year, more analog was sold than the year before. In 2013 in particular, the jump was Van Halen-sized: In the United States, 6.1 million vinyl LPs were bought – up 33 per cent from 2012. It’s not just the fogies who grew up on vinyl who are buying the old-fashioned product. Younger listeners are also in on the RPM revolution.”

“During a period of artistic transition – in which music director Paavo Järvi departed, the orchestra underwent a search and Louis Langrée was appointed to the top artistic post – the orchestra launched projects that may be viewed as visionary in an industry that is struggling in many cities across the country.”