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MUSIC

Valentin Silvestrov, Ukraine’s Leading Composer, Is Now A Refugee In Berlin

"I don't know how we lived to see this," said the 84-year-old of the Russian invasion. As ensembles all over are performing his works in solidarity with Ukraine, he can't help being upset "that this misfortune needed to happen for them to begin playing my music." - The New York Times

Over 20 Years, Grant Gershon Has Transformed The L.A. Master Chorale

Before he took the helm, it was a group of largely amateur singers doing "the chestnuts of the golden age of choral music." Now its 100 members are AGMA-card-carrying pros with whom Gershon has given 45 world premieres, and the group's budget has doubled. - Yahoo! (Los Angeles Times)

The Music Catalog Business Is Booming

Catalog valuations have shot up in recent years. In 2021, investors paid multiples equivalent to around 22 times the net publisher’s share of royalties—a standard industry measure of income—up from 11 times in 2015, data from investment bank Shot Tower Capital shows. - The Wall Street Journal

You Know Which Russian Composer Isn’t Suffering In The West?

Tchaikovsky. Just look at the Met's revival of Eugene Onegin. - The New York Times

After 40 Years, SFJazz Director To Step Down

Randall Kline was the driving force behind the opening of the $64 million SFJazz Center at Franklin and Fell streets, which opened its doors in 2013 as one of the only major venues in the country devoted to jazz programming. - San Francisco Chronicle

The Music, And Music Criticism, Of The Terezín Concentration Camp

David Patrick Stearns looks at "a monumental new collection of artifacts by Jewish artists and musicians" titled Our Will to Live: The Terezín Music Critiques of Viktor Ullmann, Illustrations by Terezín Artists. - The Philadelphia Inquirer

The Splendiferous Din Of Italian Futurist Music

"What does the future sound like? In the early 20th century, one answer rang out from Luigi Russolo's intonarumori — lever-operated machines designed to pop, sough, shriek, and shock. Peter Tracy explores the sensory, spiritual, and political affinities and ambitions behind Italian Futurism's radical new music." - The Public Domain Review

What Spotify Paid Musicians Last Year

The streaming giant said 52,600 artists earned more than $10,000 (£7,500) from Spotify in 2021. Of those, 130 were paid more than $5m (£3.8m) over the last 12 months. - BBC

Louisville Orchestra Creates A Creators Corps

The Louisville Orchestra Creators Corps will employ and house multiple full-time composers, called "creators," to represent all musical genres. In return, the creators will regularly present new music for both the Louisville Orchestra and the community. - Louisville Courier-Journal

At Nearly 80, Meredith Monk Is Finally Creating Music Other Performers Can Do Without Her

"It's difficult music to score. The performer has to truly feel my music, physically, before they can perform it. ... When other people want to do my work, I insist that they work closely with me or members of my ensemble before they even start." - The Guardian

As Tech Marches On And Formats Fade Away, Preserving Old Audio Becomes Ever More Challenging

"Modern digital storage is still expensive and data and audio/video can be lost when older websites are no longer technologically supported, when links become corrupted, when budgets run out, when new technology renders older storage systems obsolete, and much more." - San Francisco Classical Voice

NK-Pop: The Kitschy, Catchy Music Of Kim Jong-Un’s Workers’ Paradise

"Try to imagine a mashup between a communist Kraftwerk and an authoritarian Abba." Classic "hits" include "Let's Defend Socialism", "Peace Is On Our Bayonet", "Longing for the General", "Pyongyang Cold Noodles Are the Best", and "Potato Pride". - Mental Floss

Global Music Sales Jump To Record Level In 2021

Revenues surged by 18.5% to $25.9bn (£19.5bn) in 2021, the highest level since records began in the 1990s. The growth was driven by streaming, with 523 million paid subscribers, up from 443 million in 2020. - BBC

Petition Against Premiere Of New Emmet Till Opera

Mya Bishop first launched her petition earlier this week, which has already received over 10,000 signatures, asking the public to "urge" the college to "cancel the play." - Newsweek

How Did A Classical Radio Station Get To No. 1 In The Ratings In Charlotte?

"Theories abound as to why non-commercial 'Classical 89.9' WDAV Charlotte suddenly went to No. 1 in Nielsen's January survey. Here are the numbers behind the improbable victory." - Inside Radio

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