The family of Halim el-Dabh have posted:

It is with the deepest sorrow that I announce the death of my beloved husband Halim who died peacefully and gracefully in his home in Kent, Ohio on Sept. 2, 2017.

Halim was a prolific composer as well as a performer, professor and ethnomusicologist. One of his most famous works is his collaboration with Martha Graham for a work entitled “Clytemnestra”. He has written scores for world wide orchestras, dance companies, chamber orchestras and solo works.

Halim is survived by his beloved wife Deborah and his children Habeeb, Shadia and Amira.

 

Originally from Cairo, Halim studied in the US with Krenek, Copland, Fine and Dallapiccola. After his eye-catching involvement with Martha Graham, he joined the electronic pioneers Luening and Ussachevsky in experiments with computers and synthesizers before applying himself to ethnomusicological expeditions in Africa.

He taught at Kent State University, 1969-1991, and leaves a large body of publsihed works.

The Columbus Symphony* has released sad news of the death of Gene Standley, its principal horn since 1990.

Gene was involved in an auto accident on August 25.

The son of two French Horn players in the Pittsburgh Symphony, Gene studied at Curtis and played in the Philadelphia Orchestra in the 1980s before moving to Ohio.

He survived a bout of cancer three years ago.

Our sympathies to his grieving family and colleagues.

 

* An earlier version of this post mistakenly stated ‘Columbia Symphony’. We apologise for the unfortunate error. A GoFundMe appeal on behalf of the family to help with hospital expenses has now been taken down.

A message from the musicians:

We are sharing the gift of music where we can.#HoustonStrong #MusicForAll 🎻💛 Musicians include Rebecca Reale, violin; Sophia Silivos, violin; Linda Goldstein, viola; and Brinton Smith, cello. 

Photo by Joel Luks

Message from the Houston Symphony:

During this difficult time, we are sorry to share the disappointing news that, due to repairs at Jones Hall as a result of complications from Hurricane Harvey, we are cancelling the following concerts: Ella at 100, The Best of John Williams, Opening Night Concert + Gala with Susan Graham, and Fiesta Sinfónica.

The Patron Services Center will reopen on Tuesday, September 5.

Message from the diva:

Dear friends, I am very sorry but I have caught a cold that forces me to cancel my first performance of Il trovatore in Vienna on September 4. I really hate to cancel and to disappoint my audience, as you all know, but I need to take care of myself so that I can be healthy for the two other performances of the run. I cannot wait to sing for you on
Thursday.

Her replacement on Monday will be Maria José Siri.

The formative film-score composer was consultant in 1954 on a Wagner biopic, titled Magic Fire.

He got to cover the playing whenever Wagner sat down at the piano.

Unmissable stuff.

Click here to watch.

Korngold also makes a cameo appearance as the conductor Hans Richter.

A British singer and guitarist have helped identify an unknown German casualty at Verdun by means of a song he wrote. Watch the video.

Luxury apartments in Hamburg’s Elbphilharmonie have just come onto the market.

The 400 square metre residences are priced, apparently, for sopranos and music directors.

Without fixtures and fittings.