2017 sees the 25th anniversary of Divine Art Recordings Group. In fact, each of its three main branches were founded independently at almost the same time. Divine Art itself, established in north-east England in early 1992, acquired both the Athene label (founded in late 1991) and new-music vehicle Métier, also founded in 1992. After absorbing both Dunelm Records and Heritage Media, the company expanded further by opening a branch in the USA, which is now the group headquarters. Read More →
Der kanadische Komponist und Dirigent Samy Moussa, 32, erhält den mit 20 000 Euro dotierten Hindemith Preis 2017. «Seine Musik, die sich durch Formschönheit und kompositorische Strenge auszeichnet, trifft den Nerv unserer Zeit», heisst es in der Begründung.
Nachdem der Dresdner Oberbürgermeister einer Kunst-Installation des deutsch-syrischen Künstlers Manaf Halbouni vor der Frauenkirche bedroht wurde, haben die Intendanten der Dresdner Kultureinrichtungen einen eindringlichen Appell gegen Hass und Hetze veröffentlicht. Read More →
Swiss music school ‘Un, Deux, Trois, Musiques…’ founded by Nicole Coppey is celebrating its 20th anniversary. « This pedagogical school of musical art extols the supreme dimension of music, deep and uplifting, as it plays a clear role in the global development of the personality, bringing about the growth of a structured human being, self-assured and creative. », Coppey says. Read More →
From February 16-20, the Westminster Choir College in Princeton (New Jersey) and choir events organizer Interkultur will host 20 choirs from the United States, China and Indonesia to sing together in Friendship Concerts, compete in an international choir competition and celebrate the variety of international vocal music at the Sing’n’Joy Princeton Choir Festival. They will be joined by composer Morten Lauridsen, the American Boy Choir and by the hosting choir of the Westminster Choir College.
More information is available here: http://www.interkultur.com/events/2017/princeton/
Nicolai Gedda
Nicolai Gedda has died yesterday in Switzerland, aged 91. His family has confirmed the death which is more than important, since in May 2015 rumours said, Gedda, one of the greatest tenor of the XXth Century had died on Saturday, 16 May. Wikipedia pages in several languages mentioned his death. Two days later, the death references and dates were removed from those pages. Read More →
Stéphane Denève
(c) Henry Fair
French conductor Stéphane Denève has signed a new three-year contract as Principal Guest Conductor, through the 2019-2020 season. Stéphane Denève, 45, is also Music Director of the Brussels Philharmonic, and Director of the Centre for Future Orchestral Repertoire (CffOR). From 2011-2016, he served as Chief Conductor of Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra (SWR) and from 2005-2012 as Music Director of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra.
Jordi Savall
(c) David Ignaszewski
At the initiative of the Catalan musician Jordi Savall, The Saline Royale (Royal Saltworks), a historical building at Arc-et-Senans in the department of Doubs, eastern France will host the project Orpheus XXI, Radio France Bleu reports. The project aims at the integration of professional musicians, who fled their countries, Syrians, Afghans and many others. So far, 12 musicians have been recruited, and the last auditions are to take place in March.
Bayreuth, Festspielhaus
Für die Bayreuther Festspiele (25. Juli bis 28. August) beginnt am 12. Februar (14 Uhr) der Online-Verkauf von Eintrittskarten. Jeder kann bis zu vier Eintrittskarten für eine oder mehrere Aufführungen bestellen – ‘Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg’, ‘Tristan und Isolde’, ‘Parsifal’ sowie eine Einzelvorstellung der ‘Walküre’ – und zudem bis zu zwei Stück für die ‘Ring’-Tetralogie. Eine Vorab-Registrierung empfiehlt sich. Ticketshop: www.bayreuther-festspiele.de
Ludovic Morlot
(c) Sussie Ahlburg
The Seattle Symphony has announced tonight’s concert Music Beyond Borders: Voices From The Seven in protest of Trump’s travel ban. The orchestra says on its website: « The arts community across the country has been contributing in meaningful ways to the discussion around immigration following the recent executive order restricting travel and immigration from these countries. Read More →
