At 72, Helmut Lachenmann “is probably the most highly regarded German composer alive… His music seems so grounded in his country’s 20th-century narrative that it’s hard to picture him anywhere else.” These days, though, he’s in residence at Harvard, “and his presence has been quickening the pulse of musical life both on campus and off.”
Tag: 04.06.08
Proving That Women Are Profitable (And Readable)
Virago Modern Classics is a UK institution, a bastion of neglected female writers whose novels have delighted generations of women. “The story of Virago was not always a happy one. In the early 1990s, the company struggled financially… But in 1995, it was sold to the company that owns it still – Little, Brown – and its turnover is now £5 million.”
Rushdie’s Anti-Muse
“Among other things, Salman Rushdie’s latest novel, The Enchantress of Florence, is a hymn to the creative and destructive power of female beauty.” And, um, not to be indelicate, but this wouldn’t have anything at all to do with the fact the Mr. Rushdie was recently divorced from the undeniably beautiful Padma Lakshmi, would it?
Radio Du Jour
One of the advantages of satellite radio is that its bandwidth is nearly unlimited, allowing providers to add and subtract new stations as often as they wish. Lately, both XM and Sirius have been experimenting with temporary channels, offering topical or seasonal content for only as long as it is suspected listeners will be interested.
Aiming For Political Relevance, And Hitting Annoyance
“It is somehow appropriate that during an election year threatening to cause a collective national headache, at least among Democrats, the most migraine-inducing plays of the New York theater season should both concern themselves with politics. What is surprising is that these troublesome plays should come from two of the most renowned playwrights working today.”
What Is It About Messaien?
“No other music sounds quite like his, with its mystical allure, ecstatic energy and elusive harmonic language, grounded yet ethereal… Messiaen’s musical language blithely juxtaposes piercing astringencies with lushly sonorous diatonic harmonies, and with Impressionistic chords in homage to his beloved Debussy that can make a Messiaen orchestra sound like a cosmic big band.”
Ballet And Rap, Together At Last
Atlanta is one of the centers of American hip-hop, and Atlanta Ballet is taking advantage, mounting an unprecedented collaboration with one half of the Grammy-winning rap duo, OutKast. “They are seeking to expand the horizons of their respective forms, without compromising them. It’s a tall order, and it comes as ballet companies and the hip-hop industry are casting about (not always gracefully) for new directions and new audiences.”
The Toughest Role In Musical Theatre?
One of the reasons that South Pacific hasn’t been revived more often is the problem of casting Emile de Becque, the male lead. “Not even the biggest names in musical theater would have satisfied all the expectations that come with a difficult role in a beloved show seen in New York only a few times.”
Charlton Heston, 84
The Oscar-winning actor and gun rights spokesman died this weekend after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Heston played epic roles throughout his film career, and later became the face of the National Rifle Association, “a powerful campaigner against what he saw as the government’s attempt to infringe on a Constitutional guarantee.”
Penny Strad Sells For A Pretty… Well, You Know
“A Stradivarius violin named after its pioneering female owner has been sold in New York for $1.2m. The instrument, made in the 18th century, belonged to Barbara Penny, the first woman to play in the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra strings section.”