There’s many who’ll share the pain this weekend.
The New York Phil made a dreadful mistake in going to Noth Korea. Now the Steelers, we read, are flirting with the Ayatollahs.
Slightly more promising, but not much.
Press release:
Lahti Symphony Orchestra’s general manager Tuomas Kinberg to become an organizer for the 2015 Sibelius anniversary year
photo: Kinberg signs chief conductor, Jukka-Pekka Saraste
The Lahti Symphony Orchestra’s general manager Tuomas Kinberg is to become an organizer for the events in Lahti that will mark Sibelius’s 150th anniversary year in 2015. At his own request, Kinberg is permanently leaving his position as general manager of the orchestra on 20th January 2014 to take up activities as an advisor. After Kinberg’s departure, the vacant position as general manager will be filled until further notice by the deputy general manager, Teemu Kirjonen.
‘I have had the pleasure of serving as general manager of the Lahti Symphony Orchestra for twenty years’, says Kinberg, ‘but now, at my own request, I am moving within the orchestra’s administrative team to assume responsibility for events in connection with Sibelius’s anniversary year in 2015. I should like to thank all my colleagues for the excellent years we have spent together.’
c Symphony Orchestra since 1975, first as a violinist and, since 1994, as general manager. He has held numerous prestigious positions at a national level and has made a significant contribution to projects such as the construction of the Sibelius Hall.
Message on the JAL website:
“At JAL for outgoing instrument service, we offer small and large instrument cases to support our customers on trips with important instruments.
Now in response to customer feedback we have dispatched guitar sized cases (137cm x 44cm x 21cm) to all airports offering domestic flights. Until now, in such a case you would have to check it as fragile baggage, but from now you can ask for our guitar-exclusive case. JAL will continue to provide you with the best possible service in the future.”
Good thinking. More here.
Some positive news, at last, of improved sensitivity at a North American airline. This just in from Canadian artist Ed Henderson:
Several of my FB friends might remember the issue I had last year with WestJet – the hand made Sonic Farm digital input for my acoustic guitar was smashed inside a suitcase (the suitcase was a write off) – I am happy to tell you that WestJet have been amazing: they paid for the DI repair and gave me decent compensation for the wrecked suitcase.
I now am traveling with a large Pelican case (which is guaranteed for life), all my gear and clothing is safe inside and what’s best is that the lady at WestJet, when I thanked her for being so reasonable with me stated: “We at WestJet are very happy to have so many musicians using our airline and we want you to be happy too”. That is great – thank you WestJet!
His name appears on a long-list of 46 candidates to succeed Joan Matabosch as artistic director of the near-bankrupt Liceo.
Barenboim, rather wearily, tells El Pais: ‘At my age, the temptations are viewed with less enthusiasm than before. I am the director of the Berlin Opera and this is my last post. I will never take another. La Scala was a great exception. With the Berlin Opera, with the Academy I want to open and with the time I spend at the piano that’s more than enough. But would love to return to the Real (in Madrid), of course, with some of the ensembles that I lead.’
Graham Wyllie’s daughter was taught by the violinist Frances Andrade, who committed suicide eleven months ago during the trial of her abuser, Michael Brewer.
Graham and his friends are raising money in a Trans-atlantic rally to fund a rape crisis centre in Fran’s memory. You can read more about it and donate here.
Grigory Sokolov has published a letter, via his agents, on the recent death of his wife.
A young woman pleaded guilty in Belfast yesterday to 14 counts of fraud by false representation and two further charges of using a false instrument. The false instrument was not a piano. It was her claim to be a registered teacher with the London College of Music. Apparently, she faked its exam certificates to delude pupils that they had passed Grade 4. The parents are furious. The perp pleaded guilty. End of.
Samuel Ramey and Alan Held, both alumni of Wichita State University in Kansas, have joined the faculty as voice teachers. That’s a damn hot pair of signings in a slow transfer season.
UPDATE: A third grad who must be in their sight is Diva Joyce. Watch this spot.
Nicholas Linfield, a professor of English Literature who appeared on one of the Camerata’s top-selling records, has died in Florida, aged 73.
English born and evacuated in the Blitz, he studied at Oxford and the University of Texas and spent his life teaching, performing and creating art.
Here’s the Camerata’s tribute.
Photo shows Nicholas Linfield (r) acting in his own edition of the middle-English “Third Shepherd’s Play,” alongside Mark Baker (l) and the late Robert J. Lurtsema
