What a lot of these criticisms seem to miss is the crucial element: that we can still choose what we listen to. No one is making you stream the lowest common denominator playlists and you’re not forced to let the algorithm direct what you listen to. - Spectator
European Union Youth Orchestra director Marshall Marcus, who's seen a lot of El Sistema's educational work up close, argues that those who denounce the program, its flagship orchestra and its most famous alumnus for providing window-dressing to the Maduro regime are missing the point — and overlooking the good El Sistema does. - The Guardian
The composer’s son, now 83 years old, stored over 100,000 of his father’s scores at Belmont, in addition to photographs, letters, books, posters and more. The scores were held in a digital back-up, but this was also destroyed in the fire. - ClassicFM
In the days after, Los Angeles-area musicians and industry pros began to circulate a spreadsheet noting who had lost a home or workplace. The list stretched over 200 entries. - Los Angeles Times
The 57-year-old Finn, currently music director of the Gulbenkian Orchestra and Choir in Lisbon and of the Finnish National Opera & Ballet, begins his term with the 2026-27 season. He succeeds former Houston Symphony and Calgary Philharmonic music director Hans Graf, who departs Singapore at the end of next season. - The Straits Times (Singapore)
The instrument's landmark status only means that it can't be destroyed or moved without approval: a new owner or occupier of the soon-to-be-former Macy's in central Philadelphia could simply mothball it. Peter Dobrin has a suggestion for the space that could keep the public coming in to listen. - The Philadelphia Inquirer (MSN)
Housed on a converted coffee barge moored at Fulton Ferry Landing just below the Brooklyn Bridge, the floating concert hall welcomed chamber-music cognoscenti and curiosity seekers alike since Olga Bloom, a violinist and violist, launched the venue in 1977. - Night After Night
The music industry was questioning whether the show would continue with its scheduled date, despite the fact that the Los Angeles wildfires have devastated many communities in the area in the past week. - Variety
The Pacific Palisades fire destroyed the headquarters of Belmont Music Publishers, the sole publisher of Schoenberg's works. Lost were the complete inventory of sales materials and rental collections, some manuscripts, and decades' worth of printed works. - Ludwig Van
Last week, 13 staff members received an email containing screenshots of WhatsApp messages, including images "pornographic in nature," between an unnamed individual and Executive Director Seth Ducey, who evidently took those images in the SFGC building while nobody else was there. Ducey claims he's been blackmailed. - San Francisco Chronicle (MSN)
“Members of the chorus staff received an email containing screenshots of a WhatsApp conversation containing images that were 'pornographic in nature,’ according to Chorus spokesperson Sam Singer.” Leaders say that none of the chorus members were involved, or in the Kanbar Performing Arts Center, at the time. - San Francisco Chronicle
Kyleen King wants to protect the “sacred catharsis” that audiences feel when they listen to music - and one way to do that, she thinks, is to "preserve what music is for listeners and also care for the people who make that music so their work is sustainable.” - Oregon ArtsWatch
And why not? "Composer Ellen Fishman t”The musicians play traditional quartet instruments - two violins, a viola and a cello - but Fishman wanted one more instrument” - the double-bass, so yoga students could feel it through the floor. - NPR
"All of this is sadly familiar, as both the 2021 and 2022 Grammy Awards — executive producer Ben Winston’s first shows at the helm — had a similar charitable focus due to the coronavirus pandemic.” - Variety
That’s mere months after his surprise departure from the NY Phil. The Houston Symphony board president: "No one wants to work in an environment where they feel like they either can’t be successful, or they’re not trusted or they’ve got somebody looking over their shoulder.” - Associated Press
