Tag: 05.06.04

Looting Afghanistan: Tricks Of The Trade

In Afghanistan, red and white stones are used to warn people where landmines are buried. “But instead of protecting civilians, looters are using these symbols to prevent access to sites where they are systematically stealing the country’s valuable artefacts. Three years after the world looked on in horror as the Taleban destroyed the giant Bamyan Buddahs, many of the nation’s historic treasures continue to be destroyed, this time stolen by looters often aided by local gunmen.”

Levine: So My Health’s A Mystery?

James Levine is amused that his health has suddenly become an issue. “`It seems to be a mystery to everybody,’ he said, how a tremor that’s affected his left arm for more than 10 years suddenly became so newsworthy. Through this `crisis,’ Levine – who’s been artistic chief of the Metropolitan Opera for nearly three decades – has been busy conducting Wagner’s four-night, 20-hour trilogy of operas known as the `Ring’ cycle.”

Maligned Musicians Drop Lawsuit

“Violinists from Bonn’s Beethoven Orchestra have decided not to go ahead with their groundbreaking legal action in which they were suing for higher wages because they felt they played more than their colleagues in the woodwind and brass sections. [The musicians] agreed to drop their lawsuit, originally scheduled to have been heard by a labour court in Bonn on Thursday, and try and negotiate a compromise with the city authorities instead.” The violinists had been widely ridiculed worldwide for their complaint, although many of the critics seemed unaware that many orchestras already pay string players extra salary, or allow them additional time off to compensate for the higher workload.

News Flash: 6-Hour Operas Are Hard Work

Justin Davidson is amused by the New York Times’s breathless tone in describing the supposed physical deterioration of James Levine. “A few musicians in the Met orchestra have noticed that, halfway through a six-hour performance of Wagner’s Die Walküre, the workaholic maestro was liable to exhibit symptoms of fatigue. If so, he is still showing the strain less than one 37-year-old critic with nothing more arduous to do than sit and listen. Suddenly, we are all vicarious hypochondriacs, listening to Levine’s performances for signs of his decline.”

The Two Jansons(s)

Mariss Jansons decided to leave the Pittsburgh Symphony mainly because of travel fatigue. So how will he cope with the fatigue of leading two of Europe’s top orchestras simultaneously? Very carefully: “I’ve come to one conclusion, which is to cut myself into two conductors. One works in Amsterdam, the other in Munich. Some might say, ‘You are Mariss Jansons. You can’t be two different people.’ Yes, I agree, but I can still try to work for the interests of both orchestras – repertoire, touring, everything. I’m very objective. This is my principle and I’ll try to follow it.”

Disney: Moore Is Grandstanding

Disney officials are accusing filmmaker Michael Moore of using their decision not to release his latest film as a publicity stunt to get his film noticed at Cannes. Moore admits that he knew about Disney’s objections nearly a year ago, but says that he has been working “behind the scenes” for a solution, and only went public after determining that Disney was not willing to negotiate.

New Hampshire Pulls Out Of Money Woes

The New Hampshire Symphony has announced it is close to solving its money problesm this year. “Back in February, the orchestra warned it could be forced to shorten its performance schedule or let go musicians should it fail to raise about $250,000 by June 30. Since that time, though, the position of the group’s finances has improved.”