Riccardo Muti

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association announced an operating deficit of $1.4 million for fiscal 2017, ending June 30, 2017. In 2016 Riccardo Muti’s orchestra had a surplus of $400,000. According to the press release, the negative result comes from the decline in ticket sales and of other operating revenues, as well as  from a substantial $700,000 rise in expenses. Read More →

Cellist Matt Haimovitz and pianist Christopher O’Riley have released their new album Troika on the Pentatone Oxingale series, « to explore music of the Slavic soul ». Yet, Haimovitz says: « Inspired by the subversive irony of Shostakovich’s Sonata, Ttroika also delves into more recently-written, unexpected, and popular works. Whether subtle or blatantly rebellious, each work potently reveals the strength of the artistic voice in the face of political repression in mother Russia. » Read More →

Gotthold Schwarz

Der 65-jährige Leipziger Thomaskantor Gotthold Schwarz erhält den Georg-Philipp-Telemann-Preis 2018 der Landeshauptstadt Magdeburg. Seit dem 20. August 2016 ist er Thomaskantor, der siebzehnte nach Johann Sebastian Bach und unmittelbarer Nachfolger von  Georg Christoph Biller. Schwarz gehöre zu den großen Interpreten der Alten Musik und sei ein ausgewiesener Telemann-Experte, sagte der Kulturbeigeordnete der Stadt Magdeburg, Matthias Puhle. Read More →

Piotr Tchaikovsky

Democracy at last played a role, after stupid politicians decided to remove the statue of Piotr Tchaikovsky from a square in the Russian city of Klin (some 100 km from Moscow). The inhabitants were furious when they heard about the removal and a petition was signed by thousands of Tchaikovsky fans. The politicians withdrew their decision, and the monument will remain in the historical centre of the city.

Susanna Mälkki

The Finnish conductor Susanna Mälkki, 48, has been awarded the Nordic Council Music Prize 2017. The Adjudication Committee wrote: “Susanna Mälkki is a versatile and dedicated maestro of both the classical and contemporary repertoire. Having forged her own path through the world of classical music, she now ranks among the top international conductors. » Read More →

Lang Lang
(c) Deutsche Grammophon

Der 35-jährige Chinese Lang Lang wird erst im Sommer 2018 wieder auftreten. Das sagte er in einem Gespräch mit ‘Die Zeit’. Eine Sehnenentzündung im linken Arm hat ihn dazu gebracht, alle Konzerte bis dahin abzusagen. Er dürfe nur 30 Minuten an Tag leichte Stücke spielen, sagte er der Zeitung und betonte auch, er werde künftig seltener Konzerte geben. – Kurz kommentiert: das sind lauter gute Nachrichten.

Swiss born conductor Urs Leonhardt Steiner, music director of the Golden Gate Symphony Orchestra and Chorus in San Francisco, is reacting to President Trump’s xenophobic rhetoric and organizes a ¡Viva Mexico!-concert taking place Nov. 5 at San Francisco’s Herbst Theatre.  Read More →

Daniel Barenboim
(c) Peter Adamik

An seinem 75. Geburtstag am 15. November lädt Daniel Barenboim zu einem Benefizkonzert zugunsten des ‘Musikkindergartens Berlin’ ein. Das Konzert der Berliner Staatskapelle in der Philharmonie wird von Zubin Mehta geleitet, Barenboim selbst ist als Solist am Klavier zu erleben. Read More →

The Investigation Department of the Federal Security Service of Russia opened judicial proceedings against several employees of the Krasnoyarsk Philharmonic Society. They are suspected of considerable money embezzlement to the detriment of the Siberian orchestra.

Michael Tilson Thomas
Photo: SFS

Michael Tilson Thomas announced plans to conclude his tenure as Music Director of the San Francisco Symphony (SFS) in June 2020. The press release says: « The 2019–2020 Season will mark both his 75th birthday and his 25th year leading the Symphony in what is widely considered one of the most productive musical partnerships in the orchestral world. » Read More →