Cyber orchestra created to merge world music
BBC Dec 2, 08 1:55 PM CST
(Newser)
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The road to Carnegie Hall now passes through YouTube, which is borrowing a note from American Idol to give aspiring classical musicians a chance to perform on the world-famous stage. To snag a seat in the cyber-orchestra, contestants must download and perform—using a liberal interpretation of "instruments"—a composition inspired by New York's streets, BBC reports.
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Albuquerque arts devotees start secular Church of Beethoven in old gas station
NPR Nov 16, 08 6:35 PM CST
(Newser)
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Congregants gather on Sundays at an old gas station in Albuquerque to greet friends, ponder the divine, and listen to classical music, NPR reports. Espresso-sipping members of the Church of Beethoven also listen to poetry readings and engage in group song, but don't need to have religious beliefs. Cellist Felix Wurman says he founded the church to help people "find spirituality through culture."
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John Adams claims agents have targeted him for his politics
Guardian (UK) Oct 19, 08 6:35 PM CDT
(Newser)
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One of the most famous composers in America insists that Homeland Security has targeted him for his liberal views, the Guardian reports. John Adams, who achieved fame with his Nixon in China opera 20 years ago, says airport immigration grills him whenever he comes home. "I'm perfectly aware that I, like many artists and many thoughtful people in the country, am being followed," Adams says.
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Unable to listen for 20 hours, defendant opts to pay fine
Springfield News-Sun Oct 9, 08 2:58 PM CDT
(Newser)
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An Illinois municipal court offered to reduce a 24-year-old’s fine for a noise violation if he listened to 20 hours of classical music, but he lasted just 15 minutes, the Springfield News-Sun reports. "I didn't have the time," says the college basketball player, denying that the symphony struck a wrong chord. He was fined $150 for bumping loud rap on his Impala’s stereo.
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Melodic sketch was part of a collection given to a Nantes library in early 1800s
Daily Telegraph (UK) Sep 18, 08 5:52 PM CDT
(Newser)
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A single-page musical score located in a French library has been confirmed as a Mozart original, the Telegraph reports. “Mozart's handwriting is clearly identifiable,” an expert said. “There's no doubt that this is an original piece handwritten by Mozart.” The notation is for a melody only, with no orchestrations, but “one can really get a feeling of what Mozart meant,” he said.
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Study says music reflects our personalities
Independent (UK) Sep 6, 08 6:11 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Our favorite music speaks volumes about who we are, according to a new psychological study. It turns out that Indie fans are miserable, and metal heads act a lot like classical music lovers. The Independent breaks down personalities by genre: Indie: Low self-esteem and lazy, not to mention selfish and unkind. Rock: Hard-working and creative, but also unfriendly and hardly generous.
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London Symphony's principal conductor hails Russian victory
Times (UK) Aug 21, 08 12:47 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Valery Gergiev, the principal conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra, among other prominent posts, will preside over a victorious concert tonight in South Ossetia, celebrating Russia’s recent military successes, the Times reports. Gergiev is an ethnic Ossetian and close personal friend of Vladimir Putin—they are godfathers of each others’ children—and Putin is expected to be guest of honor. The concert will coincide with rallies declaring South Ossetia independent.
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Chamber rock series invites young fans to hear old masters
Gramophone Jun 7, 08 4:16 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Ronen Givony is no musician, he can’t read music, and had never organized a concert—until recently. Now the 28-year-old is considered one of New York’s top impresarios, thanks to his “Wordless Music” series, which puts top indie rock and electronica bands on the same bill as classical performers. The series is a blockbuster, drawing the young, curious 20-something crowd that Lincoln Center so desires.
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No one injured in blaze as musicians bolt from iconic concert hall with instruments
Der Spiegel May 20, 08 2:25 PM CDT
(Newser)
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A fire broke out at the Berlin Philharmonic today, bringing more than 100 firefighters to the concert hall, Der Spiegel reports. No one was injured in the blaze, with musicians fleeing with their instruments; a lunchtime concert had to be evacuated. "We don’t believe anyone is in danger, as the fire appears to be contained in the roof," a fire official said.
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Honda robot manages to wow Detroit audience despite limitations
Guardian (UK) May 14, 08 3:27 PM CDT
(Newser)
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It was classical music, but when the Detroit Symphony Orchestra hit its final note last night, it sounded an awful lot like the future. Honda’s Asimo robot led a real, live, human orchestra, and though the android was only repeating the recorded movements of a human, the performance went beautifully, impressing the musicians and delighting the crowd, the Guardian reports.
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Concert at Newark airport for cabbie who returned $4M Strad
Associated Press May 6, 08 11:13 AM CDT
(Newser)
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When violin virtuoso Philippe Quint left a 1723 Antonio Stradivari “Ex-Kiesewetter” in a New Jersey taxi two weeks ago, he was distraught: The $4 million instrument was not only irreplaceable, it was on loan. But the cab driver returned the violin next morning, and today, in gratitude, the Grammy-nominated musician will perform a private concert—at the Newark airport cab stand.
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Italian personality had been pursued by NY orchestra, others
New York Times May 5, 08 2:23 PM CDT
(Newser)
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After four years of searching for a new music director, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra has finally found its man: Italian maestro Riccardo Muti. He will take over for the 2010-11 season on a five-year contract. In September, Muti rejected the idea of an American music directorship because of hefty administrative duties, but a month of guest conducting changed his tune.
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Czech musician tracks down long-lost work
in Germany
BBC May 4, 08 5:57 PM CDT
(Newser)
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A long-lost opera by Italian composer Antonio Vivaldi has resurfaced nearly 280 years after its Prague premiere, BBC reports. Argippo , a tale of love and deception set in an Indian maharaja’s court, was first performed in 1730 but vanished soon after, leaving only a libretto. But that was enough for a Czech musician to start hunting around Europe for the rest.
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Mixed-gender concert signals opening to outside world
Associated Press May 3, 08 9:56 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Mozart hasn't challenged cultural taboos for more than 200 years, but last night he caused quite a stir in Saudi Arabia. A German-based quartet gave the nation its first public classical concert where men were allowed to hear Mozart and sit next to, gasp, women. "The concert is a sign that things are changing rapidly here," a German ambassador told the AP.
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