If you’ve ever heard Marian Anderson sing “Deep River,” you’ve heard an immortal concert spiritual by Harry Burleigh. His name won’t appear on the youtube captions – and yet Burleigh’s “Deep River” isn’t a mere arrangement. I unpack the genesis of “Deep River” – its surprising origins as an obscure “church militant” spiritual, its indebtedness to Antonin Dvorak, its … [Read more...] about Harry Burleigh’s “Deep River” of Common Humanity on NPR
“Ripeness is All” – What May Be the Fate of Classical Music’s New Superstars?
Today’s biggest controversy in classical music is the Chicago Symphony’s appointment of Klaus Makela, who will become music director in 2027-2028. He will concurrently take over Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw Orchestra – one of the half dozen most eminent European ensembles. He will be all of 32 years old. No one can reasonably dispute Makela’s precocious talent. The … [Read more...] about “Ripeness is All” – What May Be the Fate of Classical Music’s New Superstars?
The Chicago Symphony Lands Klaus Makela
It’s now official: Klaus Makela will become the next music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, beginning in 2027-2028. He’ll conduct fourteen weeks of CSO concerts of which four will be on tour. He’ll concurrently become music director of Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw Orchestra. He’ll retain relationships with the Oslo Philharmonic and the Orchestre de Paris. He’ll be … [Read more...] about The Chicago Symphony Lands Klaus Makela
Mulling Salonen’s Resignation — Take Three: Harvey Lichtenstein and BAM
Here are a couple of responses to my latest blog, mulling Esa-Pekka Salonen’s resignation as music director of the San Francisco Symphony: --From a major European artists’ manager of long experience: “Over a period of decades, I have witnessed a progressive decline in the quality of leadership in the music business. Cultural institutions today prefer to attribute failure to … [Read more...] about Mulling Salonen’s Resignation — Take Three: Harvey Lichtenstein and BAM
Mulling Salonen’s Resignation — Take Two
In response to the resignation of Esa-Pekka Salonen, the San Franciso Symphony has now issued a statement denying disagreement over artistic goals – Salonen’s cited reason for quitting. Rather, according to the board, cutbacks in Salonen’s distinctive programing initiatives were mandated “solely by a lack of immediate financial resources.” Mulling Salonen’s resignation in … [Read more...] about Mulling Salonen’s Resignation — Take Two