“When Lorin Maazel bounds onto the podium at Avery Fisher Hall on Tuesday, he will be wearing formal concert dress. But in a certain way, this jet-setting superstar conductor and, to put it mildly, highly self-assured musician will be standing there naked. In a rare event, the New York Philharmonic program will consist entirely of music composed by Mr. Maazel himself.” The all-Mazel program celebrates the Philharmonic music director’s 75th birthday.
Tag: 02.25.05
The Oscars And Popular Music: An Odd Disconnect
“There are occasional years when the Oscars intersect with popular music culture. Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen have both been past winners. Eminem picked up an Oscar in 2003 with ‘Lose Yourself’, his compelling theme from 8 Mile. It was the first rap song to win, brushing off stiff competition from U2 singing the ‘The Hands That Built America’ from (perpetually neglected director) Martin Scorcese’s Gangs of New York and, er, Paul Simon performing the theme from The Wild Thornberrys Movie. But that is the exception.” Why is the Oscar for Best Song in such a sorry state?