Category: music

“When the Smithsonian Institution learned that one of this dynasty’s central characters, William Steinway (1835-1896), recorded his experiences of 36 years in a near-daily diary the museum set about putting all 2,500 pages online.”

“At the most basic level, what the orchestra needs right now is someone who will at once re-anchor and reboot the institution, bringing an infusion of vision, vigor, commitment, and inspiration. In recent seasons, as would-be highlights were time and again passed on to last-minute substitute conductors, you could sense the orchestra’s mounting resentment, simmering below its veil of professionalism.”

“What we think happens in the case of sad music is that the subcortical [brain] structures of the people hearing it respond by empathizing with the sadness, and it actually induces sadness.”

“Despite assurances last summer that Lilith would return – even as attendance was tanking and shows were being cancelled – Sarah McLachlan now says she will not revive her all-female music festival.”

Tucked amidst the tangle of the Lincoln Tunnel’s entrance ramps, the DiMenna Center for Classical Music, built and operated by the Orchestra of St. Luke’s, provides modern, acoustically clear space at below-market rates for freelance groups more accustomed to rehearsing in dark, muffled church basements.

“The addition of two new musicians will mean the quartet will soon have had 18 members since its establishment 25 years ago. The current line-up was formed following the controversial resignation of all the players in 2006.”

“In a spate of recent conductor cancellations that has hit Boston and Philadelphia, a resource has emerged where many might not have thought to look – the Metropolitan Opera.”

“Western New York’s only professional opera company will cease operations immediately because of shaky finances and scheduling problems. … A key reason for these moves was low attendance at the troupe’s last two productions … Both contributed to a deficit estimated to be below $50,000.”

The mercurial soprano “pulled out of Des McAnuff’s staging next season for ‘artistic reasons.’ … Met general manager Peter Gelb said Gheorghiu’s future Met contracts will be honored. Still, he said it would be hard to consider her for new productions. ‘I’m not ruling it out, but I think Angela really has somehow limited her own future options’.”

Justin Davidson: “But even if he’s in fine fettle for the anniversary gala on May 1, the time has come to make him conductor laureate for life and hand the keys to someone else.”