Since 2020, well over a dozen novels have taken classical music as their setting. Of course, novels about classical music are nothing new. But what is notable about this recent surge in classical music fiction is that many of these texts center on a scathing critique of the industry itself. - Public Books
Classical music’s survival instincts proved reliable. New leaders of L.A.’s arts institutions are bringing vitality to the region, empowering musicians and giving fans hope and optimism. - Los Angeles Times
Next September, the French contralto-turned-conductor will begin a four-year term as music and artistic director of the Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo in Monaco. She succeeds Kazuki Yamada, music director of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in the UK. - Moto Perpetuo
During the second intermission of Shostakovich’s Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk on Wednesday evening, a very weak Chailly was taken to a Milan hospital and the third act was cancelled. The 72-year conductor, who has a history of heart disease, is in his last season as La Scala’s music director. - Gramilano (Milan)
I love to be surprised: to come across premieres and fresh interpretations that upend my expectations and open my mind to new possibilities. When I think about the past year, those are the moments that stuck with me most. - The New York Times
Korea’s classical music market remains chronically constrained. In an ecosystem dominated by private presenters, major international orchestras often need to schedule at least three concerts per visit to break even -- a scale of economics that leaves little room for profit and even less for broad public access. - Korea Herald
More and more, the political noise around the Kennedy Center threatens to overwhelm the music within, and it’s unclear what, if anything, is being done to help. - Washington Post
I acknowledge that it is important to be able to honor great musicians in a very public way but I believe there is a better method for doing so that some prize-giving organizations currently employ. - Nightingale Sonata
“A major new study led by researchers at Monash University (in Melbourne) … found that daily musical engagement correlates with a marked reduction in dementia incidence.” - Limelight (Australia)
This one, which takes place next October, will involve the Hungarian Radio Symphony and Hungarian National Philharmonic and is being organized by Müpa, Budapest’s equivalent of Lincoln Center. - Bachtrack
“Everybody should be selling or licensing their voice and their skills to these companies,” Stewart said. “Otherwise they’re just going to take it anyway.” - The Guardian
It nudges listeners away from deep consideration and towards accepting a corporate-branded scorecard reflecting a very specific perspective on musical value. It encourages music fans to believe that the records they streamed the most must be the ones they liked the most, which is surely not always the case. - The Guardian
“I determine the pieces that the orchestra will perform, when we perform, which guest conductors and artists we perform with, all the details of their contracts – and combine everything into each concert that makes up a season. ... I’m like the party planner.” - Oregon ArtsWatch
Those who love torturing customers and co-workers alike might have to listen to the science. The fact is, Ariana Grande and Andy Williams are out. "On the other hand, Brenda Lee’s 'Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree’ emerged as the most productivity-friendly holiday track.” - Fast Company
