We are migratory birds, and our migration routes have been disrupted. Touring musicians—triply impacted by global venue closures, obstacles to travel and Covid-19 itself—have borne an outsized share of pandemic losses. - The Nation
Similar to the way patriots might brandish the flag of their country in solidarity, Ukrainians in bomb shelters and bombarded cities or citizens living in other countries are wrapping themselves in their national melodies. And the global community is responding in kind. - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"These young people should not and cannot be punished for the barbaric actions of their government," said the Estonian maestro, who was there to conduct the Russian National Youth Symphony Orchestra. "I cannot turn my back on my young colleagues: Musicians are all brothers and sisters." - The New York Times
While the church was investigating Wachner — who built Trinity's vocal and instrumental ensembles into major forces in New York's concert life — regarding an alleged 2014 incident, it found that "that Julian has otherwise conducted himself in a manner that is inconsistent with our expectations." - The New York Times
If your contribution to a project is not absolutely essential and if you are not especially motivated, you can coast and let others carry the load. But if too many people are “loafing,” it can become infectious and the team (or in this case, the ensemble) suffers. - Nightingale Sonata
That is, the one she was determined not to write. Chin says that between her first and second violin concertos, she moved beyond abstractions - "my musical thinking changed a little bit because I became interested in musical personalities." - The New York Times
The issue in lawsuits: "Determining whether an artist has copied another songwriter is based on two tests. Firstly, whether they are likely to have heard the song before writing their piece, and secondly whether they have substantially lifted a section of it." - The Guardian (UK)
Vladyslav Buialskyi has become a symbol at the Met, but for the 24-year-old in the young artists program, daily life has become "a huge nightmare. ... You wake up each day hoping it’s not real, but it’s still happening." - The New York Times
Julian Wachner, the high-profile director of music at Trinity Wall Street, "one of New York’s wealthiest and most powerful churches," has been placed on leave after accusations of a 2014 sexual assault surfaced on social media. - The New York Times
Some of us took walks and read books in early to mid-2020. But this now-7-year-old was so determined to learn music that, her dad says, "She went way far by herself, way far away than what we could teach her." - BBC
The idea: "The Cartography Project, a multiyear initiative, will generate new works from dozens of composers and artists of color, each representing American communities grieving in the aftermath of institutional and interpersonal race-based violence." - Washington Post
The symbolism was unavoidable. Van Zweden — who said in September that he would be leaving in 2024, opening up one of the world’s most prestigious podiums — is already the past. Dudamel is the Philharmonic’s future. - The New York Times
"It is desperately ironic that Rachmaninov's experience — being held personally accountable for the actions of a government he despised — is being repeated with Russian artists who have no connection to their government, in the rush to condemn Putin's horrific invasion of Ukraine." - Van
The very site of the outdoor concert by the Kyiv-Classic Symphony Orchestra symbolized their defiance: the Maidan, Kyiv’s central square, the focal point of revolutions including one in 2014 that ousted a pro-Moscow president and helped define Ukraine’s Western political path. - Washington Post
The decision followed a request by members of the Ukrainian community that the orchestra cancel Alexander Malofeev’s performances. Initially, the OSM declined, noting that the young pianist had distanced himself from the Russian regime. - Montreal Gazette
