The New Classical Music?

“Alongside the traditional classical realm of Beethoven, Brahms and Mozart, another scene is asserting itself – one in which unconventional repertoire is embraced, new music by living composers is emphasized and being engaged with the cultural present is a priority. This scene isn’t entirely new. But it is deriving renewed energy from artists in their 20s and 30s who grew up listening to the British rock band Radiohead as well as Ravel. And the new sounds are attracting young audiences to a musical genre whose health seems forever at risk.”

Don’t Mess With Rodin

Should museums be allowed to alter works of art in their care to create other works of art? James Fenton protests. “Tate ‘conservators’ have conspired with the exploding-shed-monger and brass-instrument-crusher, Cornelia Parker, to wrap Rodin’s marble group, ‘The Kiss’, in a mile of string. They should not have done this. It should be a principle of conservation that nothing unnecessary is done to an original work of art in a public collection, and I don’t care what the ‘conservators’ say about the care they took in executing this banal intervention. They wouldn’t have dared do this to Brancusi. They shouldn’t have done this to Rodin.”

Taking Solace In A Tango?

“Argentina is struggling to emerge from the worst economic crisis in its history, and a nine-day tango festival here, which ends on Sunday night, is a government-sponsored attempt to offer some solace to the population. But the event also raises questions not only about the place of tango in contemporary Argentine society but also about its vitality and future.”

Broadway Shuts Down Musicals As Musicians Strike

After Broadway musicians went on strike Friday, actors and stagehands refused to cross picket lines, and producers decided to close down all musicals. “Broadway producers announced that all musicals — except for ‘Cabaret,’ which operates under a different contract — would be shut for the weekend. Dramatic plays without music and Off Broadway productions operated as normal.”

On The Trail Of A Stolen Dali

Police say they’re close to solving the theft of a Salvador Dali painting from New York’s Riker’s Island jail. The penal institution has enlisted the help of the artworl’d stolen art resources, putting it in the company of collectors and museums. “In terms of dollar value, art crime stands out among illicit industries, ranked just below narcotics and the illegal arms trade. Experts estimate that worldwide losses range from $2 billion to $6 billion a year.”

Houston Symphony Musicians To Strike

Musicians of the Houston Symphony say they’ll go on strike after Saturday night’s concert, rejecting the orchestra’s imposition of unilateral cuts in pay. The musicians had offered a compromise pay cut Friday, but the orchestra rejected it. “Our decision is a stand for the principles that we continue to espouse: that Houston deserves a world-class orchestra. It has one now. It stands to lose that now.”