The American music world is celebrating Leonard Bernstein’s 90th birthday this year, and looking back at the man’s career, whether as conductor, composer, or speaker, it’s clear that his discography represents one of music’s most complete and engaging portraits. “For those of us of a certain age part of Bernstein’s appeal was his ability to teach, painlessly.”
Tag: 09.12.08
Van Zweden’s Dallas Debut Goes Well
Jaap van Zweden has conducted his first concert as music director of the Dallas Symphony, and critic Scott Cantrell, never a fan of van Zweden’s predecessor, Andrew Litton, is blown away. “Whatever you’ve planned, drop it and get to one of these performances… The high-drama moments were dazzling, but no less amazing were the many delicacies.”
Finally, Downloading Gets Classical
“If you’re a classical music connoisseur, chances are you’ve never felt much love for the likes of iTunes and Napster.” But this week, a music download service specializing in classical was launched, featuring much higher fidelity than traditional downloads, and a library that already boasts 18,000 titles.
New Jersey Gets Its Opera Back
The New Jersey State Opera, “which was deeply in debt and in danger of folding after four decades after its founder, Alfredo Silipigni, died two years ago, has been reorganized” and will have its first performance since 2006 this weekend. The company is also looking to build a summer venue on the Jersey Shore.
BET Programming Chief To Depart
“Reginald Hudlin, a Hollywood veteran who was brought to Washington-based Black Entertainment Television three years ago to overhaul programming, is leaving the embattled network… Before joining BET, Hudlin was a vocal critic of its programming; as programming chief, however, he vigorously defended the schedule — even as he pledged to dramatically alter the lineup with original scripted shows.”
Dana Gioia To Step Down From The National Endowment For The Arts
“During his term, Gioia spearheaded a vigorous program of initiatives that quelled much of the criticism of the agency, especially from conservative groups. Also, through a landmark study on reading, he gave adult literacy an unexpected platform.”
Vinyl LPs Are Back In Fashion
“The 12-inch vinyl LP record — in decline for the past two decades, clung to only by DJs, audiophile nerds and collectors — is back. Sales of new LPs are on the rise — the only segment of the market for physical-format recorded music (CDs, tapes and records) to expand during the digital revolution — and more groups are releasing albums on vinyl, often creatively packaged in combination with digital formats.”