Why? "The rough edges of a medium are what allows us to get a grip on it. When I hold a record in my hands, there’s no getting around its physicality, its presence, its here-ness." - Washington Post
More than 40 former employees have contacted the investigating law firm "since allegations of a toxic workplace culture first aired and its Australian chief executive was removed in June." - The Guardian (UK)
Colette Maze was born in 1914, began picking out melodies on the keyboard by age three, released her first CD at 84, and recorded Debussy at age 103. She still practices four hours a day. - Classic FM
Matthew Loden has reportedly decided to leave the role after accepting an offer to serve as Dean at the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University in Huston, Texas. - Ludwig Van
The A.I. Song Contest features three dozen or so teams that use artificial intelligence networks to create parts of, and sometimes all of, a song, along with a jury of scientists and songwriters led by Imogen Heap. And what did they come up with? - The New York Times
Researchers using an array of high-tech methods have found traces of alum, potash, lime, borax, and plain old salt in the wooden fronts of these old instruments — and the cellulose molecules in the spruce were rearranged by those treatments. - The Strad
As superintendent, and with Kirill Petrenko as music director, Nikolaus Bachler made the Bavarian State Opera a beacon of "artistic excellence, destination programming and, during the pandemic, fearless advocacy." He's stepping down this summer, and Joshua Barone has the exit interview. - The New York Times
The City of Dallas owns a classical radio station? Yep. WRR Classical 101 FM, which celebrates its 100th birthday next month, is operated by the municipal Office of Arts and Culture — for now. – Inside Radio
It is understandable that musicians believe in extraterrestrial beings: after a year socialising over Zoom or from behind a mask, every interaction IRL feels like you need to relearn social skills after arriving from another planet. - The Guardian
There was “great appetite when we reopened," but “it’s been a little bit flat now,” whether because of the health pass requirement or the good weather and the reopening of cafe terraces. - The New York Times
A visit to the dungeon (that's what he calls it) of Tyler Thackray, proud proprietor of the Instagram account @violintorture, dismemberer of instruments, creator of Franken-fiddles, and champion troll of self-serious string players. - The New Yorker
"The company's roughly 300 stagehands were locked out late last year because of a disagreement over how long and lasting pandemic pay cuts would be. But the opera house is in desperate need of workers … if it is to reopen in less than three months." - The New York Times