The Tate paid a lawyer for return of two stolen Turner paintings two years ago after previously denying it had paid the money. “Now the museum is admitting that it paid a German lawyer who claimed to be in contact with holders of the paintings, but it says the 3.1 million pounds was given in return for ‘information.’ However, it admits the possibility the money was passed on to thieves as ‘an unavoidable and inevitable consequence of recovery operations of this nature’.”
Tag: 12.22.05
Irish Playwright In Hiding
Northern Ireland playwright Gary Mitchell has left Belfast and gone in to hiding, claiming harrassment. He was attacked and his car petrol-bombed by masked men on November 23rd. “There is a very small minority who are jealous and angry at someone else being successful, who are using every opportunity to lash out at me and my family. Images of myself winning awards in Dublin is enough to give these people the impression I’ve sold out or done something against them.”
Those Songs You’ve Hear A Million Times (You Really Have)
“BMI regularly compiles its list of what it calls ‘million-airs,’ those songs that have received a million or more airings or plays on radio or television in the United States; multiple versions, whether by the performer with the biggest hit or remakes, are included. BMI says the Top 10 as of March 2005, not listed in any particular order, includes…”
Has US/UK Musical Give-And-Take Ebbed?
“Ever since America gave us rock and roll and we gave them back beat music, the ebb and flow of ideas and talent between these two great musical powers has been the creative engine of pop culture. But my recent encounter with Floetry, a British group apparently unwanted in the UK but lauded in the US, has led me to wonder if the special relationship is still special. In recent years it has all been a bit one-sided.”
Jacques Brel Voted Greatest Belgian
The vote was taken by the country’s French television broadcaster. “The broadcaster said Brel edged out the popular late King Baudouin, who came in second. Father Damien, a 19th-century priest who cared for lepers in Hawaii, was third. Others in the running included painter René Magritte and former bicycling champion Eddy Merckx.”
Hitler Paintings Auctioned On eBay
“A painting titled Muenchen, (Munich) bearing the signature of the Nazi dictator and described by the seller as a “rarity”, was put up for auction on Monday at an asking price of €2,100 (roughly $2,900) on eBay.at.”
A New Tulsa Orchestra
The Tulsa Philharmonic folded in 2002. Now there are plans for a Tulsa Symphony. “The plans include hiring 60 to 70 musicians. Former members of the defunct Tulsa Philharmonic are being contacted first. If positions cannot be filled that way, auditions will be held. Unusually, the musicians will be responsible for all aspects of governance, including marketing and fundraising. The orchestra will have a staff, but musicians will be expected to chip in and help with day-to-day operations.”
Where Pop And Classical Meet?
“Musically speaking, the point where pop and classical meet is a no-man’s-land of melodramatic orchestration and trite melody: Il Divo, in other words. Their music is neither classical nor pop but a sort of easy-listening hybrid, and listening to it I’m painfully reminded of the gushy power ballads my Brazilian neighbours are fond of playing. Perhaps this is the true significance of popera, in the UK.”
French Lawmakers Legalize Online Filesharing
“A French government crackdown on digital piracy backfired Thursday as lawmakers rebelled by endorsing amendments to legalize the online sharing of music and movies instead of punishing it.”
Turkish Writer Fined For “Insulting Turkish Identity”
Turkish writer Zulkuf Kisanak “has been fined 3,000 lira (£1,300) under a much-criticised law against insulting Turkish identity. He was first given five months in jail, but an Istanbul court then reduced the sentence to a fine. He is among more than 60 writers and publishers, including novelist Orhan Pamuk, to face charges under the law.”