Sam Bergman on tour with the Minnesota Orchestra: “We’re more or less at the midway point of the tour now, and fatigue is starting to become the rule rather than the exception. Today, we’ll fly from Berlin to Cologne, hop a bus to Düsseldorf, play a concert, and head back to the hotel in Cologne. It’s one of the most exhausting days of the trip, and we’re changing up repertoire as well, including the addition of a piece which we have barely rehearsed, and which involves some brutally intricate string playing. Keeping a cool head will be paramount, and if things don’t go well, a sense of perspective will be necessary as well.”
Tag: 02.17.04
UK Places Export Ban On Work By Unknown 15th Century Artist
“Arts Minister Estelle Morris has placed a temporary export ban on The Virgin in Mourning to allow £600,000 to be raised to keep the painting in the country. Owned by an anonymous collector, it is one of just two works by the 15th Century artist – whose identity is unknown – in the UK.”
Grammar Book Boosts Small Publisher
Lynne Truss’ surprise grammar bestseller Eats, Shoots and Leaves has revived the financial fortunes of its small publisher, earning £5 million. “The book has now sold more than 480,000 copies after an initial print run of just 15,000. It seems there are more sticklers for grammar than we first thought.”
Shock Of The New – Aussie TV Audiences Want Only The Familiar
Yes, Australians seem to have caught the reality TV bug. But they also seem scared off of any show that is new and unfamiliar. “Every new series launched for the ‘official’ ratings year so far has fallen well short of programmers’ expectations, while the tired and true get stronger.”