Tag: 10.22.08

The New Politicized Critics?

“A new breed of politicized critic is emerging, full of the passionate intensity that springs from a righteous sense of historical vindication. They tend to be American, and to define their politics in opposition to what they regard as the effete intellectual culture of old Europe. They point out that neoclassical economics has implications for literature that are at least as suggestive as those offered by the Marxist tradition, and they argue that the social and political triumph of the market ought to be reflected in humanities departments.”

Jakarta Film Festival Cancelled After Delegates Cancel

“The Asia Pacific Film Festival, which was due to run Nov. 18-21 in the Indonesian capital of Jakarta, has been canceled due to poor attendance… This year the fest was expected to host 350 delegates from the 21 member countries and screen 61 films. However, interest has been lackluster with almost 60% of delegates canceling at the last minute.”

Another Attempt to Keep Classic Art In UK

“Titian’s masterpiece Diana and Actaeon has been unveiled at the National Gallery in London, as a campaign to keep the painting in the UK continues.” The painting ordinarily hangs at the National Gallery of Scotland. “The Duke of Sutherland is offering [the painting, plus another Titian] to the galleries for £50m each – one third of their estimated open market value.”

Lebrecht: Economy May Affect Instrument Availability

A 1741 Guarnerius del Gesu violin is being put up for sale in what Norman Lebrecht calls “a worrying sign of the times.” In the current darkening economic climate, Lebrecht writes that “there will be enough work for good musicians but there will also be a threat to the availability of instruments. Much hinges, in fact, on the fate of the Stoutzker fiddle.”

Because Forcing Music On People Always Works Well

Earlier this month, a judge made headlines when she sentenced a young man found to have been playing rap music too loudly to listen to classical music. But what does such a sentence accomplish, other than demeaning both hip-hop and classical? “Classical is considered the ‘civilizing’ music but it also comes off as being imposed on you whether you like or not. Not the best way to get people to appreciate the music.”