Benjamin Britten

British Hallé Orchestra in Manchester performs tonight (3/10/13) the public  premiere of music written by Benjamin Britten for radio broadcasts during World War II. The concert led by Music Director Mark Elder opens with ‘Britten in Wartime’ which journeys back to 1942 when an anxious public in Britain and America tuned in to a special CBS radio broadcast jointly commissioned with the War Office – ‘An American in England’. Read More →

Andris Nelsons

Entering into his sixth season, Andris Nelsons (34), the music director for the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, has decided not to renew his current contract from the end of summer 2015. Nelsons says: « With an extremely heavy heart I have reached the decision not to continue in my role as music director with my beloved CBSO after the 2014-2015 season. Read More →

Yannick Nézet-Séguin
Photo: Marco Borggreve

The Philadelphia Orchestra will not play tonight at Carnegie Hall under the baton of Yannick Nézet-Séguin and Joshua Bell will no be the soloist. « This concert has regrettably been cancelled due to a strike by Carnegie Hall’s stagehands », says the Hall on its web page. They give the following explanation: « Carnegie Hall has been engaged in talks with its stagehands for some time, working toward a new contract. Read More →

Aaron J. Kernis

After Music Director Osmo Vänskä composer Aaron Jay Kernis also quits the dying Minnesota Orchestra. Here is his letter of resignation: « It is with great sadness and a heavy heart that I submit my resignation as Director of the Composer Institute at the Minnesota Orchestra. I admit total bafflement and dismay at what has been done to allow the dismemberment of this superb orchestra at the height of its powers. Read More →

Steven Sloane
Photo: Christoph Fein

Steven Sloane ist neuer Professor für Dirigieren an der Universität der Künste Berlin und künstlerischer Leiter des Symphonieorchesters dieser Universität. Am gestrigen Dienstag wurde ihm die Ernennungsurkunde zum Professor für Dirigieren an der UdK Berlin übergeben. Der 1958 geborene US-Amerikaner tritt damit die Nachfolge des im vergangenen Jahr pensionierten Prof. Lutz Köhler an. Zum Auftakt seiner Berufung dirigiert Steven Sloane das diesjährige Konzert für die Nationen der UdK Berlin am 15. November 2013. Read More →

Toledo Symphony musicians have approved a new labor contract that brings pay cuts ranging from 5 to 20 percent. The minimum annual salary was reduced to $23,703. The Symphony Orchestra in Toledo (Ohio) is currently directed by the German conductor Stefan Sanderling.

Valery Gergiev
Foto: Marco Borggreve

Eine Petition im Internet fordert die Entlassung von Valery Gergiev als Leiter des Mariinsky-Theaters in St.-Petersburg. Der unumschränkte Herrscher dieses Opernhauses sei nunmehr seit 25 Jahren an der Spitze des Theaters und das sei genug, behaupten die Initiatoren der Petition. Wegen seiner vieler anderwärtigen Verpflichtungen sei es ihm ohnehin unmöglich, die nötige Zeit für die Leitung des Mariinsky aufzubringen. Dass bis heute nur 68 Leute die Petition unterzeichnet haben, zeigt wie vorsichtig die Russen sind, wenn es um Putins Busenfreund Gergiev geht.

Mehr als 15.000 Besucher, ein Plus von 10 % im Vergleich zum Vorjahr, unterstreichen die wachsende Resonanz des Mosel Musikfestival in Deutschland wie auch im umliegenden Ausland, sagt Intendant Hermann Lewen, der auf eine erfolgreiche Edition 2013 zurückblickt. Read More →

As expected, New York City Opera was not able to cash the much needed seven million Dollars and had to declare: « It is with much regret that we announce the end of our fundraising campaign on Kickstarter and the cancellation of the 2013-2014 Season. New York City Opera did not achieve the goal of its emergency appeal, and the board and management will begin the necessary financial and operational steps to wind down the Company including initiating the Chapter 11 process. Read More →

Osmo Vänskä
Photo: A Marsden

After one long year of labor dispute, Osmo Vänskä, Music director of the Minnesota Orchestra, finally resigned, probably seeing no future for the American orchestra. Here is his letter: « Today I have given notice of my resignation as Music Director and Conductor for the Minnesota Orchestra Association, effective 1 October 2013.

It is a very sad day for me. Over ten years ago I was honoured to be invited to take up this position. I moved from Finland to the Twin Cities. At that time I made clear my belief that the Minnesota Orchestra could become one of the very greatest international ensembles. Read More →