Tag: 09.18.03

Stephen King: I’ll Treasure Literary Award

Stephen King is thrilled to be getting an honorary National Book Award for lifetime achievement. “This is probably the most exciting thing to happen to me in my career as a writer since the sale of my first book in 1973. I’ll return the cash award to the National Book Foundation for the support of their many educational and literary outreach programs… . The medal I will keep and treasure for the rest of my life.”

O’Neill Closes Open-Door Policy

“The O’Neill Theater Center in Waterford is suspending its open-submission policy, under which anyone could mail in a play for consideration for the following summer’s conference. Because of budget cutbacks, there will no longer be direct submissions, ending a 35-year policy. Instead, a group of 150 professionals throughout the theater community and across different geographical regions will nominate the work of 250 playwrights. That group of 250 will then be judged by the O’Neill’s own selection committee, which will choose 15.”

Shifrin Steps Down From Lincoln Center Chamber Music

After 12 years, David Shifrin steps down as director of the Chmaber Music Society of Lincoln Center. “New York’s loss may be Portland’s gain. Shifrin is a familiar figure here, having directed the city’s Chamber Music Northwest festival each summer since 1980. By shedding his New York position, he will be able to devote more time to Portland as well as to his solo career as a clarinet player, to his family (he has a 10-year-old son) and to teaching music at Yale University.”

Cover Art – Book Design Master

“In the hitherto esoteric world of book-jacket design, Chip Kidd has achieved an unusual fame, earning the awe and enmity reserved for genius. In hailing Kidd as ‘the world’s greatest book-jacket designer,’ thriller king James Ellroy was merely adding his voice to a loud chorus of praise. Art critic Robert Hughes and novelist Paul Golding have been equally effusive.”

Why Art Deco Endures

There’s an Art Deco revival going on. But wait, there’s always an Art Deco revival going on. “It’s easy to explain why the stuff is always popular: It’s gorgeous. The furniture is made of expensive natural materials — glossy wood, ivory, marble — and combines light and dark in a way that became unpopular in the all-white futuristic 1960s. It’s nice to touch, unlike the practical plastic and aluminum of contemporary neo-modernist design. Art Deco satisfies the hipster’s urge for modern shapes and lines -the sleek, the geometric, the angular – and yet is much more luxurious and ornate than the puritanical Bauhaus-inspired mid-century modernism that followed it.”

Oundjian – From Violin To Podium

Peter Oundjian has been appointed music director of the Toronto Symphony. But first he’s got a couple of seasons to play out leading the Colorado Symphony. “That’s on top of guest-conducting engagements this summer with such premier orchestras as the Boston Symphony and Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, and his two ongoing posts of artistic director of the Caramoor International Music Festival in New York and music director of the Nieuw Sinfonietta Amsterdam.” Just eight years ago, Oundjian wasn’t a conductor, but a violinist with the Tokyo String Quartet.

Fort Wayne Symphony Fights Off Money Challenges

The Fort Wayne Symphony in Indiana has frozen wages for all its employees and is looking at restructuring to fight off budget problems. “A weak economy, lagging ticket sales and a decrease in foundation giving all have taken their toll. The new $4.3 million budget for fiscal year 2003-2004, which projects expenses exceeding income by $219,000, was passed by the Philharmonic board at its monthly meeting Tuesday.”