Gotthold Schwarz
Der 65-jährige Leipziger Thomaskantor Gotthold Schwarz erhält den Georg-Philipp-Telemann-Preis 2018 der Landeshauptstadt Magdeburg. Seit dem 20. August 2016 ist er Thomaskantor, der siebzehnte nach Johann Sebastian Bach und unmittelbarer Nachfolger von Georg Christoph Biller. Schwarz gehöre zu den großen Interpreten der Alten Musik und sei ein ausgewiesener Telemann-Experte, sagte der Kulturbeigeordnete der Stadt Magdeburg, Matthias Puhle. Read More →
Piotr Tchaikovsky
Democracy at last played a role, after stupid politicians decided to remove the statue of Piotr Tchaikovsky from a square in the Russian city of Klin (some 100 km from Moscow). The inhabitants were furious when they heard about the removal and a petition was signed by thousands of Tchaikovsky fans. The politicians withdrew their decision, and the monument will remain in the historical centre of the city.
Susanna Mälkki
The Finnish conductor Susanna Mälkki, 48, has been awarded the Nordic Council Music Prize 2017. The Adjudication Committee wrote: “Susanna Mälkki is a versatile and dedicated maestro of both the classical and contemporary repertoire. Having forged her own path through the world of classical music, she now ranks among the top international conductors. » Read More →
Lang Lang
(c) Deutsche Grammophon
Der 35-jährige Chinese Lang Lang wird erst im Sommer 2018 wieder auftreten. Das sagte er in einem Gespräch mit ‘Die Zeit’. Eine Sehnenentzündung im linken Arm hat ihn dazu gebracht, alle Konzerte bis dahin abzusagen. Er dürfe nur 30 Minuten an Tag leichte Stücke spielen, sagte er der Zeitung und betonte auch, er werde künftig seltener Konzerte geben. – Kurz kommentiert: das sind lauter gute Nachrichten.
Swiss born conductor Urs Leonhardt Steiner, music director of the Golden Gate Symphony Orchestra and Chorus in San Francisco, is reacting to President Trump’s xenophobic rhetoric and organizes a ¡Viva Mexico!-concert taking place Nov. 5 at San Francisco’s Herbst Theatre. Read More →
Daniel Barenboim
(c) Peter Adamik
An seinem 75. Geburtstag am 15. November lädt Daniel Barenboim zu einem Benefizkonzert zugunsten des ‘Musikkindergartens Berlin’ ein. Das Konzert der Berliner Staatskapelle in der Philharmonie wird von Zubin Mehta geleitet, Barenboim selbst ist als Solist am Klavier zu erleben. Read More →
The Investigation Department of the Federal Security Service of Russia opened judicial proceedings against several employees of the Krasnoyarsk Philharmonic Society. They are suspected of considerable money embezzlement to the detriment of the Siberian orchestra.
Michael Tilson Thomas
Photo: SFS
Michael Tilson Thomas announced plans to conclude his tenure as Music Director of the San Francisco Symphony (SFS) in June 2020. The press release says: « The 2019–2020 Season will mark both his 75th birthday and his 25th year leading the Symphony in what is widely considered one of the most productive musical partnerships in the orchestral world. » Read More →
Serge Dorny
© Matthias Creutziger
The French Région Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes who is currently funding the Opera in Lyon for 8% of its total budget, is likely to reduce its funding by 10%, the newspaper 20 Minutes announced. This reduction of 294.000 Euros is, according to the 20 Minutes, a sanction against General Manager Serge Dorny whose exorbitant travel costs have raised criticism among politicians. In 2014, Dorny’s travel expenses reached 156.000 euros, with a monthly average of 13.000 euros.
Detroit Symphony Orchestra
The Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) has announced that it has received new and increased support totalling $18.5 million from four foundations: the William Davidson Foundation, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, the Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation, and the Dresner Foundation. The donations will support a variety of programs by the orchestra both on the stage and in the community, as well as add to its long-term financial sustainability. Read More →
