Hector Quine Quine was the first professor of guitar at the Royal Academy of Music, appointed in 1959 and teaching there for 30 years. He worked closely with Julian Bream and built one of his favourite guitars. Obit here.
Vera Gornostaeva, professor at the Moscow Conservatoire and teacher of more than 50 international competition winners, has died aged 85. (Russian TV report here).
A student of the formidable Heinrich Neuhaus, Gorostaeva taught Emil Gilels’s daughter Elena and went on to train three or four generations of musician families. Ivo Pogorelich and Sergey Babayan were among her star pupils.
She recorded for Philips, Yamaha and other labels.
Just in:
London, UK – January 20th 2015: harmonia mundi UK Ltd. today announced the appointment of Simon Astridge as Managing Director, where he will replace Patrick Lemanski [who swanned off to Warner Classics], effective Monday 8th February 2015.
“I’m very excited at the prospect of this new challenge, and look forward to continuing to work for such an outstanding company in my new role” said Astridge.
Simon has worked for harmonia mundi UK as Commercial Manager since 2001, during which time he has acquired a great deal of experience and knowledge of both the UK company and harmonia mundi’s global operations.
Simon joined harmonia mundi UK from a background in music retail (Virgin, Farringdons Records and MDC Classic Music) and in his time with the company has seen it grow substantially.
Who do I have to sue to get a proper chair?
Angela Gheorghiu, the Met, 2010.
The sporty side of Christian Thielemann.
You gonna tackle me?
Er, too comfortable. Far too comfortable.
Netrebko and Villazon, 2007.
Not room enough for both on one stool. Both want the photographer to get the hell out the room.
(In memoriam Claudio Abbado, who left us a year ago today. Martha Argerich happily continues to flourish).
First of a new series. Feel free to submit your own.
Upcoming concert in Vienna: Sol Gabetta, Bertrand Chamayou. (Photo: Joachim Schmid)
They look as if they’d rather be anywhere else, with someone else.
Nick Canellakis is back on our screens, this time with the music director of the Philadelphia Orchestra, Brannick Never-Saydie (is that close?).
Just watch.
