What, the guy who wrote all those pops-concert pieces like The Typewriter, The Syncopated Clock, and Sleigh Ride? Yes, says Anthony Tommasini: “Bach provides solace, Beethoven stirs us with resolve and Brahms probes aching emotional ambiguities. But trust me: Leroy Anderson will make you feel better about things.” – The New York Times
Tag: 04.22.20
As Epidemic Seems To Fade, Germany And Austria Move Toward Reopening Museums
In Germany, it’s a state-by-state process: small museums in Brandenburg are reopening this week, with Thuringia next week, Saxony and Berlin in early May and the rest of the country following. Austria’s museums will open their doors in mid-May, though larger ones such as the Belvedere may wait as late as July. Distancing procedures and other safety measures are being developed with Teutonic thoroughness. – ARTnews
Could We See A New Version Of FDR’s Depression-Era Arts Programs? Not Likely
As we know, American society and politics (especially in Congress) are very different in 2020 than they were in 1934. Even then, there was political opposition to the very idea of arts funding and suspicion of artists as dangerous leftists. Julia Jacobs looks at that opposition, then and now. – The New York Times
Actress Shirley Knight, 83
“In a long film, television and stage career [she] earned two Oscar nominations while still in her 20s, won a Tony Award in 1975 and later garnered three Emmy Awards.” – The New York Times
Community Citizenship
Do you consider your organization’s deepest responsibility to be to art or to people? I don’t mean what is your mission. Rather, in extreme instances, what is most important? If many in your community are hurting is your focus on art? – Doug Borwick
Alan Shestack, 81, Old Master Prints Scholar, Generous Mentor, Thrice Museum Director
Considering his long, illustrious career as an art scholar and museum director, not to mention his generosity in sharing his deep insights with others (including me), I’m puzzled as to why there’s been so little mention of his death last week. – Lee Rosenbaum
Disney Heir Calls Out Walt Disney Co. Execs Taking Huge Bonuses While Slashing Employees’ Pay
“Abigail Disney, an Emmy award-winning film-maker and a granddaughter of the company’s co-founder Roy Disney, launched a Twitter tirade against the world’s biggest entertainment group … for protecting executive bonuses and dividends of more than $1.5bn while cutting the pay of more than 100,000 workers to help weather the financial impact of coronavirus.” – The Guardian