Suno, the service that allows users to create AI-generated songs, today announced new tools to mark tracks made on its platform, limit downloads, and update community guidelines to prevent copycat songs. The changes come as Suno faces numerous lawsuits from labels and artist bodies. - TechCrunch
The company, which raised over $400 million in a Series D round in June that valued it at $5.4 billion, has opened a waitlist for Suno Vinyl, a service that turns songs made on its platform into physical records. - MusicBusinessWorldwide
Generative AI “music” is now available on vinyl. (Though since the environmental cost of each is not great, maybe they are like each other? Hm.) - Los Angeles Times
No, not by watching Tár. “The very act of conducting—waving a wand to summon ravishing or ethereal or earsplitting sounds—can look like either inexplicable magic or embarrassing nonsense, a kind of tuxedoed air guitar.” - The Atlantic
And then … it was canceled just before the 16-day fest was set to begin. "By Friday, the LA Jazz Fest website had been scrubbed, with only a cryptic message that said, ‘August 22-23. Updated event info coming soon.’” - Variety
Why the comedy part? “New opera is sometimes boring because we’ve forgotten that our job is to entertain people. … During all my time in the American development system, no one ever told me that my job as a composer was to be a dramatist.” - The Guardian
“The dispute began in September 2024, when (David) Wood and (Colette) Holt sued the Philharmonic, saying it had failed to repay a $150,000 loan to secure a collection of the former San Antonio Symphony’s orchestra instruments and its music library. … The agreement does not include any admission of liability or wrongdoing.” - Texas Public Radio
Hard, uncomfortable seats built for 19th-century-sized bodies. No air conditioning and poor ventilation in high summer. The preferences, not to say whims, of the composer’s great-granddaughter because she’s the boss. Years-long waits for expensive tickets. Pricey drinks at intermission. The Wagnerites say it’s all worth it. - The New York Times
“A rare chord change on Wednesday — from seven notes to eight once an A4 pipe was added — represented the completion of about 4% of the 639-year endeavor of the John Cage Organ Project Halberstadt. … The’“ORGAN²/ASLSP (As SLow aS Possible)’ composition is scheduled to finish on Sept. 4, 2640.” - AP
It’s the year’s worst pop trend: fans paying the highest price to pre-order what is ostensibly the most desirable, collectible or elaborate edition of an album are instead receiving incomplete or unpolished versions of the music. - The Guardian
A decade ago, the average ticket to a top 100 tour went for $83.74, according to Billboard Boxscore. By 2024, that had risen to $130.36. That’s before taxes, fees and additional markups if tickets end up on the secondary market. - The Wall Street Journal
Shilvock became San Francisco Opera’s seventh general director in August 2016, following in the footsteps of his mentor David Gockley. He has led the company for ten seasons and has introduced several premieres. - Operawire
Composer Charles Amirkhanian, who co-founded the festival/audio producer/archive in 1992, is retiring as executive and artistic director as of January. Joseph Bohigian, currently Other Minds’ associate director, will become artistic director, and the search process for a new executive director is currently underway. - San Francisco Chronicle (MSN)
These days, classical music is underground; it is no longer part of mainstream culture. By “underground,” I don’t mean that the San Francisco Symphony is punk, but that classical music has become something you will only hear if you seek it out. - San Francisco Classical Voice
