University of Michigan musicologist Patricia Hall was doing research in the archives of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum when she found handwritten arrangements of popular German songs — titles such as “The Most Beautiful Time of Life” and “Sing a Song When You’re Sad” — assembled for prisoners to perform for their SS captors.
Tag: 11.28.18
UK Parliament To Investigate ‘Class Ceiling’ In Arts
“A parliamentary inquiry has been launched to explore the lack of working-class performers, writers and musicians in the entertainment industry. … Topics such as arts education, access to training, low and no pay and recruitment will be covered in the wide-ranging review, which has been launched in response to the idea that social inequalities and class are often forgotten in the debate around diversity.”
Creative Industries In UK Now Worth More Than £100 Billion Annually
“According to figures published by the Department for Digital, Media, Culture and Sport (DCMS) on Wednesday, the value of the nation’s creative sector has almost doubled from £66.3bn in 2010 to £105.5bn [in 2017], and increased significantly from 2016’s figure of £94.8bn. TV, film, advertising, radio, photography, music, museums, art galleries and digital industries make up this sector.”
Statue And Tomb Of Immanuel Kant Vandalized With Pink Paint In Russia
The monuments are in the city of Kaliningrad, Russia’s Baltic Sea coast exclave tucked between Lithuania and Poland. Before World War II, Kaliningrad was the German city of Königsberg, where Kant made his home. Leaflets scattered near the statue denounced the German philosopher as a traitor to Russia, presumably because he is a reminder of Kaliningrad’s German past.
The Harry Potter Franchise Is Killing Itself With Overexposure
Nostalgia is a lucrative emotion, but the fans must be respected. Although I believe books can change lives – as Harry Potter changed mine – publishing is a business. For the fans, however, these books have always been much more than a way of blowing cash. There’s enough content to make good editions, but publishers are choosing quantity over quality.
How Bing Crosby Changed Pop Music
Without him, Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, Dinah Shore, Dean Martin and countless other intimate singers could never have happened. A workhorse, he turned out a staggering number of recordings (including dozens of No. 1 hits) as well as films, radio shows and personal appearances. Whatever he did seemed off-the-cuff and effortless.
This And That
Saxophonist, bandleader, arranger, composer and educator Bill Kirchner sent a message today about making members of a new generation aware of Paul Desmond. And as I was later auditioning recently-arrived recordings for possible review, up popped a track from pianist Lisa Hilton’s Oasis CD.
Margaret Atwood Is Writing A Sequel To ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’
“Dear Readers, Everything you’ve ever asked me about Gilead and its inner workings is the inspiration for this book,” writes Atwood in her announcement. “Well, almost everything! The other inspiration is the world we’ve been living in.” The novel, titled The Testaments, will be released next September.
Early Writing By Anne Sexton Rediscovered After 60 Years
“The lost work – four poems and an essay … appeared in the Christian Science Monitor between July 1958 and July 1959, which is where Zachary Turpin … discovered them while searching Sexton’s digital archive.”