The Mozart Effect Revisited

“Researchers from the University of London have tested a thesis that may explain why studies of this phenomenon have produced such inconsistent results. In a study just published in the journal Psychology of Music, they conclude that listening to Mozart can indeed spark a certain type of intelligence, but the effect is limited to non-musicians. The reason, it appears, has to do with the different ways musicians and non-musicians process music in the brain.”

NYU – The World’s First Global University?

“With his Emirati counterparts, John Sexton is proposing to build an American-style research and liberal arts institution that will attract the world’s most elite students and scholars from day one. Just as grandly, Sexton envisions the Abu Dhabi campus as a kind of network hub that will operate in tandem with NYU in Manhattan to power a new “global university” comprising study sites on five continents.”

Movie Posters Cash In

“Auction houses are popular stops for aficionados, since they do all the quality control on their behalf – Christie’s averages two movie poster auctions a year in London. Its most recent was in March, where a poster for the 1954 Humphrey Bogart/Audrey Hepburn film Sabrina netted $15,480 (U.S.). Experts had expected it to go for between $4,000 and $7,000.”

Indianapolis Symphony Fires Its Music Director

“The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra announced today that the contract for Mario Venzago, its music director since 2002, will not be renewed.” Says the orchestra’s CEO, “His contract is decided on an annual basis, and we were unable to come to a new agreement. We’ve been discussing this for some time.” Venzago’s assistant says that only one “totally unacceptable” offer was made.

Baltimore Symphony Players Accept Pay Cut

“Musicians of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra have agreed to take a 12.5 percent reduction in salary as part of contract concessions … Thursday’s announcement of another $900,000 in wage cuts and furloughs follows an agreement in April for the musicians to give back $1 million in raises and other benefits scheduled under their contract for next season.”

More Chinese Films Withdrawn From Melbourne Fest Over Uighur Controversy

As Chinese authorities continue their furious protests over the Aug. 8 appearance of Uighur activist Rebiya Kadeer at the Melbourne International Film Festival (where a documentary on her is being shown), three more Chinese-language films have been removed from the festival program. Two films had been withdrawn already, including one by Venice Film Festival winner Jia Zhangke.