FEATURE
Rhiannon Giddens Aims at 1800s America in Her Silkroad Plans
NY Times: Brian Seibert
Under its new artistic director, the cross-cultural music organization pioneered by Yo-Yo Ma will start a multiyear project called “The American Silkroad” that focuses on the construction of the transcontinental railroad in the 19th century.
RESEARCH AND OPINION
Why Opera Will Never Die
LitHub: Paul Morley
Paul Morley on a Centuries-Old Art Form in Our Contemporary Age.
Emerging Opera Singers Now Pay for Online Auditions. Are Companies Watching Them?
The Middle-class Artist: Zach Finkelstein
This year, companies used YouTube as their audition platform. To a savvy Gen Z, a professional YouTube channel is a treasure trove of data. YouTube Analytics can help answer questions singers always wanted to ask an audition panel. Questions like, “Is anyone paying attention?”
Struck With Memory Loss, A Dancer Remembers ‘Swan Lake.’ But Who Is She?
NPR News: Anastasia Tsioulcas
A touching video showing a former ballet dancer afflicted with memory loss gracefully dancing as she hears the music from Tchaikovsky’s ballet Swan Lake has gone viral worldwide.
“Songs of Isolation” for Solo Cello
The Violin Channel
This three-work project, each one written by a different composer, was commissioned by Cuban-American cellist, Thomas Mesa.
Listening to Beethoven, While Walking the Dog and Dodging Cars
The New York Times: Zachary Woolfe
A critic tries to review a streamed concert under the decidedly nonideal conditions of 2020.
How George Benson Turned an Early ‘No’ Into a Career of ‘Yes’
The New York Times: Shannon J. Effinger
The 77-year-old guitarist talks about musicians who shaped him and how he learned to respond to critics as he releases his first live album in 30 years.
Singing When Times Darken
New Socialist: Fielding Hope
Art has always flourished against the odds—but it shouldn’t have to. Gaps in Government support for working class artists present an opportunity to rethink culture from new principles.
5 Minutes That Will Make You Love Sopranos
The New York Times: Angie Wang
Listen to the soaring voices of Maria Callas, Jessye Norman, Leontyne Price, Renée Fleming and others.
Tigran Hamasyan: Tiny Desk (Home) Concert
NPR News: Suraya Mohamed
Pianist Tigran Hamasyan settled down in his home country of Armenia during the pandemic, and took the opportunity to catch up on projects that have been lingering, unfinished, for years. For a touring musician, it’s one of the few benefits of the COVID-19 lockdown, having the time to get things done and engage with new work.
NATIONAL
San Francisco Symphony Cancels Remainder of 2020-2021 Season
The Violin Channel
The San Francisco Symphony will continue to curate its series of digitals concerts, and suggests that current ticket holders either donate the cost of the ticket to the SFO or receive a gift certificate for its value.
2020 Winners Announced at New York’s Young Concert Artists International Auditions
The Violin Channel
Pianist Zhu Wang, mezzo-soprano Megan Moore and bass-baritone William Socolof have been announced as the 1st prize winners at the 2020 Young Concert Artists International Auditions.
INTERNATIONAL
Riot Ensemble and Synaesthesis awarded €150k by Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation
The Strad
The Ernst von Siemens Music Foundation has announced the first two recipients of its new Ensemble Prize for outstanding young ensembles. The London-based Riot Ensemble and Synaesthesis from Lithuania will each receive €75,000.
The Benedetti Foundation Presents “The Global Violin Sessions”
The Violin Channel
Violinist Nicola Benedetti will host another interactive online initiative from November 16 to December 13.
Taiwan Philharmonic Appoints New Artistic Advisor
The Violin Channel
The 61-year-old German conductor, Jun Markl, will assume the role beginning in August of 2021.
Three days of online events to honor hundredth anniversary of Piero Farulli
The Strad
‘Paideia 2020: Music and Knowledge’ will feature talks about music and neuroscience, education and society.
Anne-Sophie Mutter starts concert series to raise funds for musicians
The Strada
From this Sunday, the German violinist will be playing in churches with musician friends.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Cleveland Orchestra’s New Streaming Platform, Adella
The Violin Channel
The Violin Channel recently sat down with Cleveland Orchestra’s Chief Brand Officer, Ross Binnie, at the launch of the ensemble’s new streaming platform, Adella.
New device puts music in your head — no headphones required
AP news: Louise Dixon
Imagine a world where you move around in your own personal sound bubble. You listen to your favorite tunes, play loud computer games, watch a movie or get navigation directions in your car — all without disturbing those around you.
OFF THE BEATEN TRAIL
Ray Chen – The One-Man-Band!
The Violin Channel
VC Artist Ray Chen performing Mendelssohn’s Concerto … for violin and voice …
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