He was born 100 years ago on Aug. 25, and his centenary is being celebrated as his achievement — and the smilingly confident place and time he symbolized — seems ever more unrepeatable. Who today could write both “West Side Story” and three thorny, searching symphonies? Who could bring together Brahms and the Beatles on national television, and have millions watch? To what maestro’s left-wing political dalliances would New York magazine devote a cover story in 2018?
Tag: 08.23.18
Headed Toward The Weekend And Still Catching Up
Fred Hersch Trio, Heartsongs (Sunnyside)
Sunnyside’s reissue of Hersch’s 1989 sessions reminds us how impressive the pianist was in his recording debut as a leader at the age of 34.
Frick Collection Makes Rare Purchase, Then Italy Tries To Block It After The Fact
“The Frick, which adds only sparingly to its collection, described the portrait” – a seven-foot-tall image of Prince Camillo Borghese (Napoleon’s brother-in-law) by François Gérard – “as its most significant painting purchase for nearly 30 years when it announced the acquisition last December.” Now the Italian culture ministry, saying that the portrait is important to the national patrimony, has canceled the export license for the work and is trying to get it returned.