Jay Greenberg has been seemingly everywhere this week, his shy-looking face standing in stark contrast to his accomplishments: still just 14, Greenberg has written five symphonies and countless other works, and his latest have just been recorded by the London Symphony and the Juilliard Quartet. But does the label of “genius” really apply here? Tim Smith says it does: “The orchestration is remarkably assured, showing a keen ear for how sections of instruments can complement and play off each other. There’s a clear sense of direction and purpose to the work, a build-up of drama and tension that ends with a blaze of high-spirited energy.”
Tag: 08.16.06
New York To Get $1.2 Billion Movie Studio
New York’s city council has approved plans by a movie studio to build a $1.2 billion studio complex in Queens. “The complex calls for 18 movie studios as well as 1,150 apartments, including 150 units of low-income housing. New York City’s production industry employs 100,000 New Yorkers and generates $5 billion for the city annually.”
Eight Chicago Musicals And Nothing To Recommend
“The eight deeply flawed new musicals showcased in this year’s Stages 2006 marathon at the Theatre Building seemed to suggest the artform has fallen on very hard times. None of the shows presented last weekend, whether in semi-staged or concert reading style, was ready for prime time.”
FCC Looking Into Fake TV News
The FCC is investigating the proliferation of fake new clips being run on TV newscasts. “Video news releases are packaged stories paid for by businesses or interest groups. They use actors to portray reporters and use the same format as television news stories. The FCC has mailed letters to at least 42 stations asking station managers about agreements between the station and the creators of the video news releases.”
Town Challenges MacDowell Colony’s Tax-Exempt Status
The New England town of Peterborough has challenged the MacDowell Colony’s status as a tax-exempt, charitable institution, arguing that “MacDowell did not ‘provide a charitable purpose to the general public,’ as required by New Hampshire law. Initially, Peterborough asked MacDowell for a relatively modest payment in lieu of taxes, known as PILOT in nonprofit jargon, to pay for services such as fire and police protection.” But MacDowell has decided to fight the town on the issue…
Hear The Sample, Buy The Ticket
The City of Birmingham Orchestra is posting excerpts of music it will be performing this year on the orchestra’s website. It’s a try-before-you-buy offer. “Many of the excerpts featured were specifically recorded for the website to provide an accurate representation of the concert-hall experience.”
Tennessee College Tries To Sell Donated Art
Fisk University is trying to sell art it owns in order to raise money. “The Nashville school is awaiting a court ruling on whether it can sell a Georgia O’Keeffe painting and a Marsden Hartley painting, both part of the 101-piece collection, which was donated to the historically black college nearly 60 years ago by Stieglitz’s widow — O’Keeffe herself. The collection also includes works by such artists as Cézanne, Renoir, Picasso, Arthur Dove and John Marin, as well as some of Stieglitz’s photography. According to an IRS filing, Fisk’s entire art collection was appraised at $31.4 million in 2002.”
The Art (and Attraction) Of Celebrity Gossip
Why do people seem so interested in the misfortunes of celebrities? “The beast of gossip loves this moment best: Befuddlement. News it didn’t already know. That is the very freshest meat. Those are the reactions you want in the express checkout line. (Unless of course you live in the world where the first question is Who, followed by a very disdainful Why? That world exists. That world has Hezbollah, the end of oil reserves and the trade deficit. That world has a special loathing for celebrities and anyone who would familiarize himself with their divorces.)”
In Japan: Fan Art Flourishes
Japan’s relaxed attitude about copyright has allowed a flourishing of fan-created art and literature. “That it not only exists but thrives is a testament to Japan’s relaxed attitudes on copyright, which have facilitated a flowering of both creative and commercial activity. American media companies, take note.”
Merger For XM, Sirius?
Will XM and Sirius, the two American satellite radio services, merge? Their stock prices have been languishing and losses have mounted. “Some observers have speculated that time is of the essence if the two are thinking of merging — both companies declined comment for this report — because a Republican president and Congress would be more open to such a scenario than Democrats would be if they take power in upcoming elections.”