Another sign of the “aging” of the Museum of Modern Art’s mission is the need to do some serious conservation of some of its important works. “The reason these things were never done before is that they’ve never come off the walls. And I think you have to make some choices here. It seems to me one has to accept the fact that it’s important to do this and when they come back, they’re going to be much better than when they left.”
Tag: 08.31.06
Beatles Sue Record Companies
The surviving members of the group are the latest musicians to object to recording company sales accountability. “The lawsuit, filed in December, claims EMI and its affiliate Capitol wrongly classified copies of Beatles recordings as destroyed or damaged “scrap” but then secretly sold them. It also alleges the number of units sold was under-reported, and the firms classified some recordings as ‘promotional’ and as a result non-royalty bearing, but then sold the material. The lawsuit was triggered by an audit of the companies’ books from the period 1994 to 1999, which the band says uncovered allegedly deceitful behaviour.”
Chicago Theatre Versus The Critic, Round 3
More letters of complaint and a spirited defense by Chicago Sun-Times critic Hedy Weiss’ negative reviews of a workshop project: “Reviewing of this showcase has been standard practice for a number of years; the proof is in the archives. In addition, I heard not a peep from the Stages staff after publication of my review of last year’s showcase. Perhaps that was because the ‘mixed to positive’ reviews were more acceptable to them. In fact, I would bet that a copy of my review was submitted as supporting evidence for many grants, etc., that the Musical Theatre Writers’ Workshop made to funding organizations this season. You simply cannot have it both ways.”
Wildenstein Being Sued For Gauguin Appraisal
Wildenstein, the art dealership, is being sued by a company claiming Mr. Wildenstein appraised a painting – Gauguin’s Paysage aux Trois Arbres, 1892 – at “millions of dollars above its value without revealing he had an ‘ownership interest’ in the piece.”
The Louvre In Abu Dhabi?
The Louvre is talking with the government of the United Arab Emirates about operating a museum in Abu Dhabi. “The talks followed the signing of a memorandum of understanding in July between the government of Abu Dhabi and the New York-based Guggenheim Foundation which sets out the terms for the establishment of a Guggenheim branch in Abu Dhabi.”
The Top Concert Tours Of Summer ’06
“Overall, sales are up over last summer — despite fewer shows. Total reported grosses were $695.9 million for 2,887 shows, compared with $648.5 million for 3,817 during the same time in 2005, according to the Billboard data.” Madonna scores the most – $80 million for 32 shows.
Why Are We Crazy For Guitars?
“The basic design of the electric guitar (in essence a plank of wood with a pick-up and some strings) has barely been altered and arguably not at all improved on since the 1960s. Yet, putting sales of such relatively modern instruments as synthesisers, samplers and DJ turntables in the shade, it would appear that, halfway through the first decade of the 21st century and more than 50 years after the birth of rock and roll, this relatively primitive six-stringed instrument remains the pre-eminent tool of pop culture, the ultimate musical object of desire.”
The UK’s Top 10 Orchestras – A List
Richard Morrison makes a list, ranking Britain’s major orchestras. At the top? Halle…
An Opera About Gaddafi? Are You Nuts?
No question the subjects for contemporary opera have expanded in recent years. But why an opera about Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi? And why is English National Opera taking it on?
Two Bach Manuscripts Discovered
The earliest-known manuscripts to be written by JS Bach have been discovered in a fire-damaged library. “The two manuscripts date from around 1700 and contain copies Bach made of organ music composed by Dietrich Buxtehude and Johann Adam Reinken. Researchers found the documents in the archives of the Duchess Anna Amalia library in Weimar, where a previously unknown aria by Bach was discovered last year.”