Did Clement Clarke Moore really write the beloved Christmas poem “Twas the Night Before Christmas” back in 1823? A Vassar scholar says he’s uncovered evidence Moore did not. “He marshals a battery of circumstantial evidence to conclude that the poem’s spirit and style are starkly at odds with the body of Moore’s other writings.” – New York Times
Tag: 10.26.00
CALL MY AGENT
As the world of publishing slices and dices, recombining in multimedia mega-companies, the role of an author’s agent is changing. What are the new rules of the road? – New York Times
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE WRONG MAN (MEN) WINS?
This past weekend conductors converged on London for a conducting competition. The winner seemed obvious to the audience and at least one critic. “But after a backstage debate of some 40 minutes”, the “five-strong team of conductors, composers and assorted musicians split the prize between two other finalists.” The jury chairman described the result as “interesting”. “Batty would be nearer the mark.” – The Times (UK)
CHICAGO IN BALANCE
For the 14th season in 15 years, the Chicago Symphony has balanced its budget, posting a modest surplus on a $55 million annual budget. “Attendance at CSO concerts was up 2.3 percent overall, from 257,336 to 263,376. Ticket revenue rose to $15.6 million from $14.7 million.” – Chicago Sun-Times
THE BEETHOVEN MYSTERY
People are fascinated to speculate that Beethoven may have died of lead poisoning. But why? Does it make any difference to how we listen to his music? “Indeed, such is our culture’s fascination with the great composers that we cannot resist putting them on the psychiatrist’s couch. Not content with enjoying, respecting and honoring their music for its intrinsic artistic value, we poke and prod their brains and bodies in the hope we might fathom that ultimately unfathomable mystery, the source of their creative genius.” – Chicago Tribune
CHOPIN COMPETITION WINNER
It’s piano competition season. The Chopin International Competition in Warsaw decided to award a prize this year (the last two competitions ended without a winner). “This year’s 23-member jury awarded the first prize to 18-year-old Yundi Li from China, who also shared the prize for the best performance of a polonaise with another Chinese player, Sa Chen, who was placed fourth.” – Irish Times