Composer Veljo Tormis, Who Helped Inspire Estonia To Independence, Dead At 86

While he has been overshadowed in the West by compatriot Arvo Pärt, Tormis is revered in his native land. Doubtless thinking of such works as the ferocious Curse Upon Iron and Litany to Thunder, leading Estonian conductor Tõnu Kaljuste once observed, “If Arvo Pärt’s music is heaven, then Veljo Tormis’s music is earth.”

Tenor Storms Stage To Demand Payment From Deadbeat Producer

Crossover tenor Jonathan Ansell says he tried for months to get from producer Stephen Leatherland the £10,000 Ansell says he’s owed for a 2015 UK tour of an opera revue. Fed up, he leapt onto the stage just before the beginning of another Leatherland production and told the audience that he and other cast members had been stiffed. Naturally, he streamed the whole thing on Facebook Live. (includes video)

Another Instrument Smashed Up By Airlines – This Time It’s A Cello

The unfortunate victim this time is Florida State cello major Carrie Miller, whom United Airlines did not permit to gate-check her cello for a flight from California back to Tallahassee. She’s trying to crowd-fund a replacement instrument so she can prepare for her senior recital, coming in less than three months.

For First Time After Bombing Three Years Ago, Cairo’s Museum Of Islamic Art Is Open

“First opened in 1903, the museum was closed in January 2014 after a bomb attack on the Cairo police directorate across the street severely damaged its facade and dozens of exhibits. It reopened last week after a two-year restoration program funded by the United Arab Emirates and UNESCO.”

Top Posts From AJBlogs 01.23.17

Trump’s biggest first threat to the arts: Ending net neutrality
Terrible as it will be for the Trump administration to kill the National Endowments of the Arts and Humanities, gutting net neutrality seems to me an even more damaging attack on the arts, independent and upstart media and America’s commons. … read more
AJBlog: Jazz Beyond Jazz Published 2017-01-23

Never-Ending Battle: Mobilizing (once again) to Save the National Endowments for the Arts & Humanities
With President Trump‘s transition team’s having reportedly recommended elimination of federal funding for the National Endowments for the Arts and Humanities (as well as for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting), a petition opposing possible NEA and NEH cuts has appeared on the White House’s website, … read more
AJBlog: CultureGrrl Published 2017-01-23

At A Time Like This, You Want to Talk “Still Life”? Yes.
At times like these, when not only the United States but also the world is a-twitter – no, forget the pun, much more than a-twitter – seriously concerned about the political direction of so many countries, it may seem trivial to spend time on issues of art. Or even looking at art. Not really. … read more
AJBlog: Real Clear Arts Published 2017-01-23

Monday Recommendation: Outset
Dan Meinhardt, Outset (ears&eyes records) … read more
AJBlog: RiffTides Published 2017-01-23