Due to the crisis in Ukraine and the alleged shooting down by pro-Russian separatists of a Malaysian jetliner last week, the Polish government has canceled preparations for the Polish Cultural Year in Russia and the Russian Year in Poland, planned for 2015. Many orchestras and musicians in both countries are affected by this decision. Read More →

Peter Gelb
(c) Lacombe /Metropolitan Opera

With the Union not agreeing to his proposals for pay cuts, the Met’s General Manager Peter Gelb has threatened his employees with the lockout and the Cancellation of the 2014/2015 opera season. The orchestra musicians have denounced this « as a cynical strategy to cover up his failed management and lack of artistic vision”. Read More →

Joshua Bell
Photo: Bill Phelps

American violinist Joshua Bell has signed an extended contract as music director of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields. He will stay for a further three years until summer 2017. The violinist is since 2011 at the helm of the London chamber orchestra, directing symphonic repertoire from the leader’s chair.

With the Union not agreeing to his proposals for pay cuts, the Met’s General Manager Peter Gelb now openly threatens his employees with the lockout and the Cancellation of the 2014/2015 opera season.

Hilary Hahn
© Michael Patrick OLeary

Due to an inflamed muscle, American violonist Hilary Hahn (35) had to cancel all her concerts for at least six weeks.

« Mit der Unterzeichnung des letzten von insgesamt neun Theaterverträgen am morgigen Donnerstag in Halle, sind die Weichen für die Kultur in Sachsen-Anhalt endgültig in eine kulturärmere Zukunft gestellt », heißt es in einer Pressemitteilung der Deutschen Orchestervereinigung DOV. Der Vertrag sieht vor, dass die Theater, Oper und Orchester GmbH Halle künftig nur noch neun statt zwölf Millionen Euro vom Land erhält. Read More →

Graham Johnson
(c) Clive Barda

Der britische Pianist Graham Johnson wird mit der Hugo-Wolf-Medaille 2014 geehrt. Johnson wird von der Hugo-Wolf-Akademie nicht nur als « hervorragender Liedpianist » gewürdigt, sondern auch für seinen unermüdlichen Einsatz als Forscher und Wissenschaftler. Die undotierte Auszeichnung wird Johnson am 28. September verliehen. Read More →

© Outhere/Karel Duerinckx

Two young Belgian musicians, organ player Jérôme Giersé (33) and musicologist Alexandra Gelhay (27), have engaged themselves in a project using music to fight poverty and under-development. They act together with the ‘Music Fund’ (www.musicfund.eu) while sailing around he world. During their two years long trip on the boat Florestan they will contribute by teaching and playing to the musical life in the places where they go ashore. More information is available here (F & NL): www.florestanaroundtheworld.com

Judith Weir
(c) Chester Music Chris Christodoulou

As expected, Buckingham Palace announced today Judith Weir as Master of the Queen’s Musick, the first woman to be appointed in this job.  Weir was born in 1954 in Cambridge, England, into a Scottish family, but grew up near London. She was an oboe player and had a few composition lessons with John Tavener during her schooldays (North London Collegiate School). She subsequently studied composition with Robin Holloway at King’s College, Cambridge (Cambridge University), graduating in 1976. Read More →

Renée Fleming
(c) Andrew Eccles / Decca

Beim Theaterfestival in Williamstown (Massachusetts) hat Renée Fleming, ihre erste Theaterrolle übernommen. In einem Stück von Joe DiPietro spielt sie die Rolle einer Operndiva, deren Karriere zu Ende geht…