The Kronos Quartet are renowned for presentation style. Much of that can be credited to Larry Neff, their production director and lighting designer for over 25 years. The quartet have issued this statement:
It is with tremendous sadness that we announce the death of our beloved colleague Laurence “Larry” Neff, Kronos Lighting Designer and Production Director for more than 25 years. Last Thursday, Larry suffered a fatal fall while pruning a tree at his mother’s home in England.
The Kronos Quartet, the staff and board of directors of the Kronos Performing Arts Association, and the extended Kronos family are heartbroken by the tragic loss of our dear friend—a visionary artist whose masterful work has been synonymous with and inseparable from Kronos performances for decades.
Our thoughts are with Larry’s family, friends, and colleagues at this very difficult time.
Two months ago we lamented the fall of Rizzoli, the 57th Street wood-pannelled bookstore in New York where art and music mattered every bit as much as literary works. Developers were about to take it apart.
Here’s how it now looks.
More heartbreak pics here.
A list published by the Russian Ministry of Culture places the Mariinsky director at the top of Russian earners in cultural activities, based on tax returns and other registered data.
Gergiev is reported to have made 164 million rubles last year and to own six apartments and properties within the Russian state. He also owns 15% of Evrodon – Russia’s largest producer of turkey meat. His reported earnings in Russia equate to US $4.8 million.
Second wealthiest is the violinist Vladimir Spivakov, conductor of the National Philharmonic Orchestra and the Moscow Virtuosi. He earned 58 million and his wife Sati, a television actress, 2.8 million. They own four properties, two of them in France and Spain. Both Gergiev and Spivakov are conspicuously close to the seat of power.
Julia Shahnovsky. head of the Science Museum, made 43.3 million rubles.
In fourth place is the actor Oleg Tabakhov, artistic director of Chekhov Moscow Art Theatre. He made 42.6 million and his wife, actor Marina Zudina – seven million. They own five apartments and 30 acres of land.
Film actor Yevgeny Mironov, who also heads the National Theatre of Nations, came fifth with annual income of 27.6 million rubles.
No other musicians were in the top names published by the news outlet RBK.
We’ve been informed of the death of John McClure, director of Columbia Masterworks in the golden years and producer of all the late Bruno Walter sessions and many of the Leonard Bernstein recordings. Not to mention 35 records with Igor Stravinsky. And much of Glenn Gould.
John was a reserved, disciplined figure in a company of peacocks. Like John Hammond in the pop division, he had an ear for young talent and an unshakeable rigour. He signed Terry Riley and Philip Glass, only to get overruled by top brass. He was considerate, compassionate and ever protective of junior staff. A lovely man, by all accounts.
Here’s one of the last interviews he gave. There are very few photographs in circulation of this shy, essential man.
l-r: Hans Leonhard, Leonard Bernstein, John McClure, Hellmuth Kolbe. Photo courtesy Ursula Kolbe.
UPDATE: Click here for late Times obit.
The musicians, who are resisting a proposed 16 percent pay cut, have released a detailed statement analysing the company’s performance. The crucial paragraph is this:
In 2005-06, Joe Volpe’s last season, the budget was $221.6 million. The Met’s expenditures for 2012-2013 were $326.8 million, an increase of over $105 million. According to the Met’s financial statements, for which we have received only the years between 2006 and 2013,
– New Productions increased from $7.6 million to $21.8 million (the high was $24.3 million in 2012), a 220% increase.
– Production equipment increased from $5 million to $15.1 million, a 202% increase;
– trucking and storage increased from $1.6 million to $3.7 million, a 131% increase;
– and finally, “other” increased from $2.7 to $8.7 million, a 222% increase.
A similar analysis between seasons 2003-04 and 2011-12 reveals that spending on Performances actually decreased from 72% to 61% of the overall budget, while spending on Media, New Productions, and “Other” grew dramatically. The lack of return on this sizable investment points to failed financial stewardship.
What they’re saying that, under Gelb, the Met gives fewer performances and spends 50 per cent more money. How is that possible?
We’ve had a report of Valery Gergiev being seen with facial injuries. ‘It is apparent that he has a serious gash under his left eye and on his nose as well.’
Most likely a summer sporting accident. Any further information?
Here’s Valery last week with the Czech Phil, sporting a scar beside his eye.
Some suspicion too on this video.
