Those who believe the trope, then, that classical music has little or no currency are mistaken. At least the leaders of Russia and Ukraine believe it is very important indeed. - The New York Times
That quest for answers got a boost from Italian researchers in a paper published by the American Chemical Society that outlines the findings of their chemical analysis of two venerable violins. - Ludwig Van
Mahler would be appalled at the recorded perfectionism of the modern Vienna Philharmonic. He changed his mind from one rehearsal to the next. His music is about living in the moment. That’s what Steinaecker’s Toblach ensemble achieved. - The Critic
"The list of music to be published includes more than 300 songs, 100 chamber music pieces, 50 orchestral works and other pieces, in genres including classical, opera, jazz and film music. The first works will be published next spring." - The New York Times
Says one musician: "We are afraid of not being able to arrive at the place of the concert, of losing our (paid) commitments. Traveling with these old, fragile, expensive instruments is already stressful, but at the moment, anxiety dominates when buying an SNCF ticket." - The Strad
In the U.S., teachers are turning to music to aid students of various ages with increased levels of depression and behavioral issues. - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
“TAR” is uncomfortably spot on. It’s more about abuse of power than music, though the classical trappings are a convincing gilding. - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Icebergify collects data from your top 50 artists in your short-term, medium-term, and long-term listening trends, according to Icebergify. So the artists on your chart might be musicians you haven't listened to in a few months, or maybe are bands you've only just started listening to now. - Mashable
Franklin Foer recounts how Mikhail Voskresensky, an 87-year-old éminence grise whose last political act was in 1963, realized he couldn't stay in a Russia that was deliberately destroying Ukraine — and how he overcame sanctions to get himself, his wife and toddler son from Moscow to the Bronx. - MSN (The Atlantic)
Spotify reported 456 million monthly active users, up 20% from a year earlier and above the company’s guidance. Paying subscribers, Spotify’s most lucrative type of customer, climbed 13% to 195 million, also exceeding the company’s expectations. Spotify shares fell nearly 6% aftermarket. - The Wall Street Journal
"We all were very destroyed because at a certain point we thought no one needs us anymore. Their life goes on. The concert halls are closed. The theaters are closed. Some people are making their jobs, but we are sitting at home." - AP
The presentation demonstrated a greater use of theatrical lighting, improved amplified sound, and video technology in what had been a temple to un-enhanced instruments. David Geffen Hall is embracing these technologies, given its ambition to broaden its repertoire and appeal. - Architectural Record
Original sources indicate that J.S. planned to have 164 chorale preludes in his Orgelbüchlein (Little Organ Book), but he only wrote out 46 of them. Organist William Whitehead decided to commission preludes on the remaining 118 chorale melodies — in each composer's own style, not in Bach's. - The New York Times
Afton Battle, one of the few Black women to ever run a U.S. opera company, is resigning from the Fort Worth Opera. She will be Fort Worth Opera’s second consecutive general director to resign after three seasons or less. She held titles of both general and artistic director. - KERA
My initial impressions, after three performances, were mixed. The sound is bright and clean, with excellent separation of instrumental voices. When the entire ensemble kicks in, though, the sonic picture seems to flatten out and lose lustre. - The New Yorker
