It just makes me a little nervous, and I try not to think about it too much. I think classical music is really strange because it seems to thrive on the word “greatness.” You know, you have great performers, and every concert by the San Francisco Symphony has to be great, and all the composers are great, and at the same time people are whispering, “Classical music’s dead.”
Tag: 11.27.07
Smithsonian Needs A Fix-Up
“Chronic leaks, poor climate control, and outdated electrical systems threaten both the collections and visitors.”
An American Dance In Paris
“Since founding the American Academy of Dance in Paris in 1997, Brooke Desnoës has emerged as a proponent of a fresh approach in France that seeks to include not only students with perfect bodies but also anyone who takes pleasure in dance. Her school, where students range in age from 3 to 19 and are admitted without auditions, represents the latest step in bringing to France an American approach to classical training.”
Norman Mailer Wins Bad Sex Writing Award
“The award most dreaded by authors was established in 1993 by the late Auberon Waugh when he was editor-in-chief of The Literary Review. Previous winners have included U.S. writer Tom Wolfe and British author Sebastian Faulks.”
La Scala Strikes Settled
“Hundreds of workers at Milan’s La Scala walked out three weeks ago, forcing the cancellation of performances of Verdi’s Requiem, which was to have been conducted by Daniel Barenboim in his debut at a famous opera house.”
Scanning All The World’s Books
“The project, based at Carnegie Mellon University and working with partners in China, India and Egypt, has now scanned 1.5 million books, which can be viewed for free at the project’s Web site, ulib.org.”
New Urbanists Win Architecture Prize
“Miami architects Andres Duany and Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, the controversial husband and wife team who lead the traditional town planning movement called the New Urbanism, were named the winners Tuesday of next year’s Richard H. Driehaus Prize, which goes annually to a tradition-minded designer and now comes with $200,000 in prize money.”
Met Opera Adds Pay-Per-View To Movie Lineup
“The production values of the performances this season will be enhanced by two remote-controlled cameras that will be able to dolly above the stage to supplement the 10 fixed HD cameras.”
Has New Detroit Institute Of Arts Dumbed Down?
“The museum has attempted to reinvent its approach, incorporating more multimedia to draw in greater numbers of visitors. The ‘dumbed down’ design is sacrificing education for entertainment, critics charge. Visitors don’t agree.”
CBC Prez Says Broadcaster Needs Renewal
“The CBC needs a new contract with Canadians, preferably with a 10-year mandate and a firm funding commitment to give Canadians the improvements they want, including HD TV and more regional radio, he said.”