The San Francisco Symphony is off to Europe on tour. Robert Commanday wonders why? “A decade or two ago, the received rationale was that such tours were necessary for the promotion of record sales. Whatever truth there was in that — and no convincing evidence was ever offered — that reason certainly doesn’t hold today in today’s marginalized record market. It was also argued that the orchestra as collective instrument benefitted from the repeated performances. Again, that might have been true 20 or 30 years ago, but the current level of today’s orchestral ensemble is not going to be significantly heightened by touring.”
Tag: 05.06.03
“Quickest Brain” In The West?
David Gordon’s hiring as head of the Milwaukee Art Museum was considered something of a coup for the often-overlooked regional gallery. But while Gordon has certainly lived up to billing as a plain-speaking man with big ideas, his brash style isn’t going over terribly well with some local artists, who are afraid that Gordon intends to ignore local art altogether. James Auer is concerned: “I hate to see the museum missing the boat on what is a burgeoning Milwaukee art scene, with many image-makers in the very age group – late teens to early 30s – that the museum covets but has a hard time luring into its gleaming lakefront masterpiece.”
Apologize, Then Hit Back
Texas composer Laura Greenday-Ness has apologized for allowing misleading information about her career to be used in her music school’s promotional materials, and blamed her publicist for what appear to be flatly made-up accomplishments in her bio. The publicist claims that he wrote what Greenday-Ness told him to write, and nothing more. The composer also attacked the Dallas Morning News for its reporting on her misleading resume, claiming that the paper didn’t give her enough time to respond to the charges.
Next Stop On The Orchestral Crisis Train: Louisville
The latest hot spot in the increasingly shaky world of American orchestras is Louisville, Kentucky, where musicians of the Louisville Orchestra are filing for unemployment (in tux and tails, no less) and refusing to attend rehearsals after the orchestra’s management missed payroll and demanded that a permanent pay cut be adopted immediately. The musicians insist that they were willing to play regardless of whether payroll was met, but balked when management refused to allow them leave to seek other employment while the crisis continues. The orchestra is looking at an estimated $800,000 deficit on a budget of $6.1 million for the current season.
Moscow Play Closes, Can’t Shake Hostage Stigma
Russia’s first home-grown musical “Nord-Ost” was a huge success in Moscow until rebel Chechens took over the theatre and killed 100 people. The show reopened earlier this year in the same theatre, but the stigma of the hostage drama finally shut down the show. “The organisers kept the seats full in part by offering places to the disadvantaged, who would not otherwise have been able to see the show. The modest operational profits made before the crisis were wiped out. Nord-Ost remains a musical and theatrical success, and an innovation in Russia.”
Vatican To Name Internet Saint
The Vatican is apparently ready to name Saint Isidore of Seville as patron saint of the internet. The Pope alone may name a patron saint, but St Isidore is receiving stiff opposition from Archangel Gabriel and Saint Alfonso Maa de Liguori, an 18th century poet.” So just who is St. Isadore?…
Ailing Sawallisch Will Skip Final Tour
Wolfgang Sawallisch, 79, who is in his last week of performances as the Philadelphia Orchestra’s music director, will finish out this week’s concerts with the orchestra in Philadelphia, but will not accompany the orchestra on a three-week tour of North and South America. Sawallisch “has felt dizzy and tired, and has been experiencing blood pressure problems.”
Country Station Suspends DJs For Playing Dixie Chicks
A Colorado Springs country music station has suspended two DJs for playing the Dixie Chicks’ music, violating a station ban. “We pulled their music two months ago, and it’s been a difficult decision because how can you ignore the hottest group in country music,” station manager Jerry Grant said. “I gave them an alternative: stop it now and they’ll be on suspension, or they can continue playing them and when they come out of the studio they won’t have a job.”
“Hairspray” Takes Outer Critics Circle Awards
“Hairspray” picks up five Outer Critics Circle Awards, adding to its awards at last week’s Drama Desk Awards. “The writers who cover Broadway and off-Broadway theater for out-of-town media crowned “Hairspray” king with five awards in all, including outstanding musical, director (Jack O’Brien), actress (Marissa Jaret Winokur), featured actor (Dick Latessa) and costume design (William Ivey Long).”
Curator Says Iraq Looting Of Art Overestimated
How many works of art were stolen or broken during looting of Iraq’s National Museum? John Curtis, a curator at the British Museum estimates that “30 or 40 major works – some extremely significant – that remained on display last month are missing and that 15 are broken. The number missing from storage areas is still unknown. Initial reports suggested a much higher toll, which Curtis attributed to ‘poor information’.”