“Chamber music is not defined by individuals, it is defined by the collective zeitgeist, the pulse of the times. In these times there is an abundance of jazz that resembles modern classical music. It is valued in performances in small concert halls all over the world. To me, that answers the question. If we are talking about Chamber Music AMERICA (and not Asia or Europe) it defies logic to claim that it has no place at the funding table. Jazz IS America. Let’s also remember that jazz is not one thing.”
Tag: 03.16.06
New BBC Awards Handed Out
“The Takács Quartet won the disc of the year award at the inaugural BBC Music Awards, presented by the magazine yesterday in London. The Takács was honored for its three-disc recording of Beethoven’s late string quartets, the final installment in its complete Beethoven cycle. The set also won in the chamber music category… Conductor Paavo Järvi and the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra won the orchestral award for a recording of Grieg’s Peer Gynt. A recording of Vivaldi’s Orlando Furioso led by Jean-Christophe Spinosi won the opera award; soloists included soprano Jennifer Larmore.”
Gagosian In Chelsea
Gagosian is opening a big new gallery in Chelsea. “Already the art world’s leader in exhibition space, Gagosian Gallery is converting a warehouse into a gallery in New York’s Chelsea district. This would be Gagosian’s fifth gallery worldwide, its third in New York, and its second in Chelsea, the city’s contemporary-art mecca.”
Chicago Arts Failing To Draw Minority Crowds
A new study conducted by the University of Chicago concludes that the city’s arts organizations are failing to connect with a racially and economically diverse populace, and are drawing most of their support from affluent whites. “Admission fees, hours of operation and transportation are areas institutions may need to reconsider if they wish to broaden attendance, say the researchers.”
Leak In Spain’s Reina Sofia Museum Damages Paintings
Madrid’s Reina Sofia modern art museum opened an acclaimed new wing last September. But there was a serious flaw. “Days before the new wing, designed by France’s leading avant-garde architect Jean Nouvel, was inaugurated by Queen Sofia to international acclaim, drops falling from the ceiling left marks on an important painting by the Spanish master of cubism Juan Gris, Frutero y periodico (fruitbowl and newspaper).”
A New Fun-ner BBC?
The BBC is to embark on a new era, with more emphasis on entertainment. “The white paper, the culmination of more than two years of wrangling over the BBC’s future, effectively means that when the corporation’s current charter expires at the end of this year it will have a new charter in place, ensuring its future through 2016. Though Parliament will have a chance to discuss the proposals, they are not subject to legislative approval and are essentially a done deal. Critics and competitors of the BBC said they were disappointed.”
Needed – A Political Theatre For NY
The uproar over New York Theatre Workshop’s cancellation of “My Name is Rachel Corrie” “shows that New York needs a theater free from the prejudices of its funders and subscribers, one immune to special interests…”
Costco – Home Of The Fake Picassos?
Costco recently sold a Picasso drawing on its website for $39,999.99. But it looks like the authetication of the drawing was faked, and the incident has sparked questions about the company’s online art purchases.