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MUSIC

One Of The World’s Largest Pipe Organs, Once A TV Star, Has Been Taken Apart, Fixed Up, And Returned To California

"Hazel" (formally, the Hazel Wright Organ) was the instrument of the Crystal Cathedral, from which Rev. Robert H. Schuller once hosted the Sunday morning show Hour of Power. After years of repair, Hazel is back home in what's now Christ's Cathedral in the Catholic Diocese of Orange County. - AP

Why The Sale Of Bandcamp Matters To Musicians

With Bandcamp’s model, buying an album feels like an investment in both the music and the artist, and as a result it’s the best place to buy music on the web. - Fast Company

Spotify Quits Russia

Spotify said Wednesday it has closed its office in Russia indefinitely because of the “unprovoked attack on Ukraine.” Social media companies with more than 500,000 daily users must have local offices in Russia, according to that country’s law. - Deadline

What Can, And Can’t, We Really Expect Gergiev And Netrebko To Say About Putin’s Attack On Ukraine?

"At what point does cultural exchange — always a blur between being a humanizing balm and a tool of propaganda — become unbearable? What is sufficient distance from authoritarian leadership? And what is sufficient disavowal, particularly when speaking up could threaten the safety of artists or their families?" - The New York Times

Met Opera Cancels Anna Netrebko’s Engagements

"'It is a great artistic loss for the Met and for opera,' Peter Gelb, the company's general manager, said in a statement. 'Anna is one of the greatest singers in Met history, but with Putin killing innocent victims in Ukraine there was no way forward.'" - The New York Times

ASCAP Reports Record Revenue For 2021

Increases in collections from the audio streaming and audio-visual sectors pushed ASCAP’s domestic revenue to $1.011 billion in 2021, up 4.4%, an increase of $42.5 million over 2020. This was the first year that ASCAP domestic revenues from U.S.-licensed performances surpassed $1 billion. - Variety

Russian Airstrike Destroys Kharkiv’s Opera House And Concert Hall

A large Russian missile was fired at Freedom Square in the center of Ukraine's second-largest city, causing severe damage to the Kharkiv State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre and the Kharkiv Philharmonic Hall. At least ten people are dead and 35 injured. - Classic FM (UK)

Anna Netrebko Withdraws From All Performances “Until Further Notice”

The Russian soprano, a former protégée of Gergiev and supporter of Putin who has come under pressure to denounce the invasion of Ukraine, said in a statement, "This is not the right time for me to be performing and making music. I hope my audience will understand this decision." - Euronews

Gemma New Named Principal Conductor Of New Zealand Symphony, Her Hometown Orchestra

The 35-year-old Wellington native, principal guest conductor of the Dallas Symphony and music director of the Hamilton (Ont.) Philharmonic, is not only the first woman to helm the orchestra in its 75-year history, she is the first native New Zealander in the position since 1954. - Stuff (New Zealand)

Valery Gergiev Fired As Chief Conductor Of Munich Philharmonic

The Bavarian capital's mayor followed through on his warning that the Russian maestro would be dismissed if he didn't denounce Putin's invasion of Ukraine. Gergiev lost several other gigs over the weekend as well, including honorary chair of the Edinburgh International Festival. - BBC

The Top-Selling Global Music Group Of 2021

The South Korean band beat the likes of Drake and Adele to top a chart compiled by music industry body the IFPI. - BBC

Norman Lebrecht: The New Geffen Hall Will Be A Game-Changer

Deborah Borda, president of the New York Philharmonic, gave me a virtual tour on Zoom the other day. What I saw leads me to believe that Geffen Hall will leave the rest of the world playing catch-up. - The Critic

How The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Retrofitted A 1930s Theatre For Sound

First of all, "the Warner Grand Theater building was originally designed for film screenings, not live performances, so the depth of the stage had to be expanded from 18 feet to 53 feet." - Fast Company

Sure, Music Can Heal – But Can It Heal Bones?

A new study says maybe it can. - Salon

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