Beyoncé isn’t the only superstar who’s struggling to make a hit with staying power. The past year has seen superstars release new music to weaker-than-expected sales or reviews. - The Wall Street Journal
“We find clear differences between users at different points of their off-platform lifecycles, with younger listeners consistently exploring less and exploiting known content more.” - Ludwig Van
"The 52-year-old Danish conductor Thomas Søndergård succeeds — and bears some resemblance to — Osmo Vänskä, a Finnish conductor who, at age 48, arrived in Minnesota by way of Scotland with a history of Sibelius recordings, a lively podium presence and unruly hair." - The Star Tribune (Minneapolis)
More artists than ever before are releasing music, the report says, but this does not mean more are successful. Analysis published by the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) shows the number reaching one million UK streams per month remains low, about 1,700. - BBC
The logistics of international orchestral touring are formidable at the best of times. But the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra’s tour is probably going to set some kind of record, given the speed with which it has had to be planned, the state of health and travel in the world it has been planned for. - Irish Times
When the reporters approached him and asked about his performance, a woman sitting beside him said they didn't speak English. As the man was holding his violin down, with his bow away from the strings, violin music began playing from his speaker. - KOMO
The Austrian-Iranian Alexander Ali Rahbari took to Instagram to announce the news stating that he was appointed by Putin supporter Valery Gergiev and will conduct 10 performances next season. - OperaWire
To be clear, no scalpers were selling those tickets. Instead, a new definition of face value had emerged, one that many fans had never encountered. Confusion reigned, and anguished reactions poured forth in Facebook fan groups, into my inbox and onto Twitter. - The New York Times
Before this year, the controversies around the Greek-born conductor were usually over his music-making, which classical mavens tend to either adore or loathe. But his hand-picked orchestra and choir, called MusicAeterna, are based in and supported by Russia, so institutions elsewhere are under pressure to avoid them. - The New York Times
Julius Eastman: the fierce black queen iconoclast, scorned and consigned to oblivion in his day, is finally being celebrated for his unabashed talent and the sheer audacity of his inimitable genius. - Arts Fuse
From Timbaland to Sting to the next rapper to say inshallah, Arab culture has been a persistent influence on American music. But songs actually in Arabic have never been a presence on the charts. - Los Angeles Times
Says one member, "We call them instruments, some people call them office machines, some people call them sculptures. It's got a limited range of sounds, so you really have to work at what you are trying to extract out of it." - CBS News
The 78-year-old folk legend, who has spent years recovering from a 2015 brain aneurysm, made a surprise appearance in what had been billed as "Brandi Carlile & Friends" to close this year's Newport Folk Festival, an event she last performed at in 1969. - Billboard
They provide an entry point for film enthusiasts to appreciate the power of a live orchestra, which can enhance the emotion and excitement of the moviegoing experience tremendously. And they’re significant revenue generators. - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
As anyone who has attended concerts or stage performances over the past year can tell you, digital programs are increasingly sprouting up as the heir apparent to the printed programs we’ve come to know and love. - Washington Post
