This is a perceptive and compelling article on the impact of internet streaming services on creativity and the livelihood of artists. The writer, David Byrne is a founding member and principal songwriter of Talking Heads. Born in Scotland he lives in the US and warns that disseminating art via the internet – be it literature, music or visual art – is not sustainable.
http://www.theguardian.com/music/2013/oct/11/david-byrne-internet-content-world
Until yesterday, Michael Kaiser was the President of the John F Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts. After 29 years spent running 5 arts institutions he has sat at his last board meeting and writes that he will “breathe a sigh of relief” when he leaves the board room for the last time. Read his…
‘Art for art’s sake’ is becoming an increasingly remote concept in 21st century Australia as performing arts bodies are expected to function according to business models and boost their bottom line from private sources. Are these expectations realistic – and who evaluates the bodies that make the funding decisions? The Australia Council for the Arts which…
Toi-toi to Australian mezzo-soprano Helen Sherman, one of four soloists who along with her pianist has qualified for the finals of the prestigious 2013 Wigmore Hall/Kohn Foundation International Song Competition. The grand finale and prize-giving will be held on September 3rd. Founded in the traditions of Lied, the biennial competition is open to elite singers and pianists aged 33…
What is the secret of the enduring appeal of the music of JS Bach?! Even of you don’t like his music, the complexity of his writing, his output and his role as an innovator are unparalleled. Pianist James Rhodes claims that Bach takes us into a “fourth dimension of existence.” Read more from BBC Culture.
The English National Opera has announced its 2013-14 season which sees the UK premieres of 10 new opera and the return of 4 recent hits. Ex-Monty Pythoner and film-maker Terry Gilliam has been appointed director of the company which is trying to reverse its budget deficit. Gilliam will return to the music of Hector Berlioz to direct a…
Corinna Da Fonseca-Wollheim of the New York Times, writes about this form of ‘high-culture hooliganism’.