ArtsJournal: Arts, Culture, Ideas

MUSIC

The Streaming Audio Channel Where Classical Meets Video-Game Music

Jennifer Miller Hammel, who created the channel, called Arcade: “We tried to eliminate that roadblock of, Well, is this going to be too scary for a classical audience? But then also, is there a way that we can introduce some classical music to a gaming audience?" - The New York Times

Despite Near-Record Ticket Revenue, Chicago Symphony Has A Seven-Figure Deficit

"The CSO swung to a $1.4 million operating deficit from (a surplus) of $1.7 million last year. Driving the red ink was a 15% rise in operating expenses to $77 million (and) the drying up of pandemic relief funds." This despite second-highest-ever ticket income of $22.1 million. - Crain's Chicago Business

The Fisk Jubilee Singers And The Birth Of The Spiritual

Vann R. Newkirk II, based on the diaries of Ella Sheppard, the group's first pianist and composer, and on materials in the historically black university's archives, recounts how the group came together in the 1870s to help save the impoverished school — and created a great American genre of music. - MSN (The Atlantic)

How Black Musicians Are Reclaiming Folk Genres

Today Black folk performers have reached a critical mass and level of exposure not seen since the early decades of the 20th century, when Black bands like Cannon’s Jug Stompers and the Memphis Jug Band were among the most commercially popular in the country. - The New York Times

Joan Armatrading Has Entered The Classical Music Chat

"Armatrading’s creative life is built on asking questions." - The New York Times

In Portugal, A DJ Priest Spins Up Electronica For His Parishioners

To be fair, he also caters to non-parishioners, and even non-believers, at the dance hall. - MSN (AP)

Hey Nintendo, Play Our Recessional Hymn

There's nothing like programming a GameBoy to play the local church organ. - BBC

This Year’s Grammy Nominations Announced

Female acts make up seven of the eight nominees in the top three categories — with SZA leading the pack with nine overall nominations while Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, Billie Eilish, Miley Cyrus and boygenius earned six nods a piece. - The Hollywood Reporter

A Grand Old Master Of Classic Afghan Song Returns To The Stage At Age 88

Sadiq Fitrat Nashenas, one of the last living stars of a golden era for Afghan music, fled the Taliban in 1991, settled in London and performed for audiences throughout the diaspora for 12 years. Last month, he sang in public for the first time in two decades. - The New York Times

How Movie Scores Shape Intensity

These features shape audience expectations through repetition, creating unease when anticipated development fails to emerge. - The Conversation

Eric Booth: How Being A Teaching Artist Works

When activating people’s innate artistry, teaching artists can guide that energy toward many goals. My analysis of employment in the field finds seven major goals teaching artists are hired to deliver. - Symphony

When Aaron Copland Was A Cultural Diplomat

The State Department ran a major cultural diplomacy program during the mid-20th century, sending some of America's most prominent performers on overseas tours. Best remembered today are visits to Communist Eastern Europe, but the program was active in Latin America as well — with Copland as its leading light. - San Francisco Classical Voice

Cellist Calls For Airlines To Clarify Procedures For Taking Instruments On Board

“Most of the airlines do not have a policy for musical instruments,” he said. “And when there is a policy sometimes it is not applied consistently.” - ClassicFM

Why Musicians Are Angry About Spotify’s New Monetization Scheme

The damage that Spotify is doing to the music ecosystem is well known. But it seems they are only getting started. Two months from now it will already be much worse. Either musicians force their way into the decision making for streaming, or the corporations controlling it will force musicians out. - Dadadrummer

The Troubles At English National Opera Never Seem To End

The current crisis at the company is hardly the first: ENO has faced severe financial difficulties repeatedly over its history. Yet the government funding cuts ENO faces now, along with orders to relocate out of London, are more daunting than anything it's ever faced. - Financial Times

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