Renowned conductor Sir Edward Downes passed away simultaneously with his wife at an assisted suicide clinic in Switzerland. Though the practice of euthanasia is heavily criticized in the UK, the media speculates no charges will be brought against the children who accompanied the Downes’ to the clinic. Although his passing has prompted discussion about euthanizing someone who was relatively healthy, I find it more important to simply recognize and honor the legacy of one of Britain’s most accomplished conductors. The telegraph has a very touching obituary I assure is worth the read.
Classical World Mourns Loss of Sir Edward Downes and Wife
Spokane Symphony Announces Budget Reduction
This Just In: Economy Still Sucks
The Spokane Symphony said in a press release Monday that they are taking steps to alleviate a 5% financial deficit predicted for the end of the year. Despite solid financial footing for the last 8 years, the organization began to feel the effects of recession halfway through the 08-09 season. Check the link for an outline of all budget adjustments.
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NY Times Sells WQXR; NY’s Classical Station to Exchange Places with Spanish Radio
Employees To Fill Out Applications for Own Jobs
The Deal
WQXR 96.3FM, New York’s long standing classical radio station, will be sold by the New York Times Company pending FCC approval. The rights to the WQXR name will be sold to WNYC Public Radio, and its 96.3 spot on the dial, including broadcasting equipment, will go to Univision. Univision plans to transition its Spanish-language programming to 96.3 from 105.9, which in turn is also being purchased by WNYC for use as WQXR’s new frequency. The sale comes during an economic slump that has taken its toll on an already struggling newspaper industry. Check the link for the good and bad news.
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NY Phil Begins “Concerts in the Parks” Next Week
The New York Philharmonic will perform its first “Concerts in the Parks” performance on Tuesday, July 14 in Central Park. The program for the first three performances is Mozart Symphony No. 41 “Jupiter,” and Beethoven Symphony No. 7. The fourth performance will feature Copland’s Old American Songs (Set 2), and Mahler Symphony No. 1 “Titan.” All performances are free and will be conducted by Alan Gilbert. The Copland songs will feature baritone Nathan Gunn. Check the link for the full schedule.
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Royal Opera Singer Breaks Leg Onstage
Misinterprets Common Saying
Joyce DiDonato broke her leg last Saturday during an onstage accident at the Royal Opera House in London. She was playing Rosina in Rossini’s Barber of Seville, when she slipped onstage and hurt her leg. DiDonato managed to hobble around stage for the rest of the performance, singing “the rest of the three-hour opera on crutches and in nonstop pain,” according to ArtsBeat.
Her blog recounts the four-hour long visit to the emergency room where she shocked the doctor after telling him she remained on her feet for three hours after sustaining the injury. At the time, DiDonato said she was determined to finish the run of the opera. Check the full article to see how that worked out.
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Boston Symphony Opens Tanglewood
Unless You Count Steve Martin Playing Banjo in June
The BSO will open Tanglewood’s summer 2009 season on Friday, July 3, with James Levine leading an all Tchaikovsky—”blockbuster”—program featuring his Symphony No. 6 Pathetique and Piano Concerto No. 1. The full program for the summer is available here, which I would go into detail about if I were not on 56k dialup at the moment.
New Works by Deak and Sinco Performed in New York
After, Deak Hurries Off to Play Maazel’s Final Performance
NEW YORK, NY — Associate Principal Bassist of the New York Philharmonic Jon Deak came forward, applauding, to shake the hands of musicians led by conductor Thomas Carlo Bo after they completed a performance his composition Lad, a Dog (Part II: The Visitor). The work is a one movement piece, performed by two narrators, violin, clarinet, and piano. Originally, the work featured only the three instrumentalists. They were to narrate the text themselves as per directions in the score. Furthermore, it was chamber music—no conductor required. This performance, however, definitely benefited from both the narrators and the conductor. While I never witnessed the chamber music version, I do think the additions improved the effectiveness of the piece. View Full Article »