From the composer John Adams, referring to the label’s weekend howler:

 

Still no regrets from Sony.

Never too late, chaps.

 

And here’s another.

Take a bow, Gazetta di Parma:

Message from HKAF:

We regret to inform our friends and supporters that the February and March performances and events of the 48th Hong Kong Arts Festival have been cancelled as a result of the novel coronavirus outbreak, the resultant closures of venues across the city, and concerns for the health and safety of our participating artists and audiences. The HKAF team is deeply saddened by these unprecedented circumstances, and our thoughts are with all those affected by the virus.

The cancellations will affect all performances of the 48th HKAF and its related events in February and March, including Young Friends activities, HKartsFestival@TaiKwun programming and most PLUS events (excluding PLUS films). The “No Limits” project will also not be held as scheduled. Ticket refund and donation details are available at https://go.hkaf.org/rfa.

We thank all of our supporters for their enthusiasm for the performing arts. We are working hard to reschedule a portion of the performances to be presented at a later date and look forward to bringing Hong Kong more great performances in the future. Everyone please take care during these difficult times.

香港藝術節宣布，將取消二、三月期間進行的第48屆香港藝術節的所有演出及活動。藝術節作出這個艱難決定，乃基於新型冠狀病毒疫情持續，導致表演場地關閉，以及對藝術家、觀眾及同事們的安全及健康考慮。我們同時向所有受疫情影響的人致以慰問。

是次節目取消包括第48屆香港藝術節於二、三月期間的所有演出及活動，連同「青少年之友」計劃活動、「香港藝術節@大館」及「加料節目」（「加料電影」放映會除外）。「無限亮」計劃亦不會如期舉行。有關退票安排及捐款詳情，請參閱 https://go.hkaf.org/rfa。

我們在此衷心感謝各位觀眾的諒解及支持，藝術節團隊已積極尋求將部分節目延期舉行，期盼未來將更多優秀表演節目帶來香港。希望大家在這艱難時期好好保重。

 

The death has been announced of Lois Schaefer, principal piccolo of the Boston Symphony from 1965 to 1990, and before that with New York City Opera.

Lois, a much-loved teacher, was 95.

Ms. Schaefer was best-known to the general public through her frequent appearances on National Public Television with the Boston Pops, where she led the piccolo obbligato in “The Stars and Stripes Forever” more than 2000 times. (From her Legacy obit:)

The Dundee composer David Dorward died in East Lothian, on January 31.

The funeral is on Thursday at Warriston Crematorium.

A music producer at BBC Edinburgh from 1962 to 1991, Dorward wrote two symphonies, two concertos, three string quartets and many songs.

Stephan Zilias, Kapellmeister at Deutscher Oper Berlin, has been named General Music Director of Hannover State Opera from next season.

He’s a former assistant at English National Opera and Baden-Baden Festspielhaus.

The last GMD,  Ivan Repušić, left the house in summer 2019.

No-one missed the Leeds junket for more than a decade, so why bring it back?

Message received:

Following a break of eleven years, the Leeds Conductors Competition will return this September offering transformative opportunities for young British conductors.

Held at Leeds Town Hall in partnership between Leeds International Concert Season and Opera North, the competition culminates in a gala concert with the Orchestra of Opera North, prize money totalling £20,000, and a series of professional engagements with the country’s other leading orchestras for the winner.

Judging the Competition will be Tim Walker CBE AM (Chief Executive and Artistic Director, London Philharmonic Orchestra), Richard Farnes (Music Director, Opera North, 2004-2016), Lyn Fletcher (Leader of the Hallé, 1997-2019), and Colin Metters (Professor Emeritus of Conducting at the Royal Academy of Music in London). Previous winners include Garry Walker, Music Director designate of Opera North, who won the 1999 competition.

 

The death has been announced in Zagreb of Vladimir Kranjčević, head of the national HRT orchestra in the 1980s and professor at the Zagreb Academy from 1977 to 2008.

 

 

From the US bassist Louis Levitt, a member of Sybarite5:

Flying from Newark EWR to San Diego SAN Feb 7th 7:55 pm flight 2304.

The bass was checked in and hand delivered to TSA by me at which point they refused to allow me to be present for the screening, but assured me that it would not be opened.

The bass is in a case by David Gage made out of carbon fiber. The bass is circa 1887 and valued at over $100,000. But as you know that its not about the money because it’s insured. It’s about preserving the instruments and history for future generations.

 

 

 

 

Google Analytics tell us we had 103,218 readers on the site yesterday.

Our own security team confirm that these were real readers, not Russian bots.

What drew them to Slipped Disc on a peaceful Sunday?

Exclusive stories, first with the news, some abrasive readers’ comments and a selection of unheard music.

Slipped Disc keeps on growing.

UPDATE: The next day, Monday, we had 109,955 readers.

The ingenious Sergei Slonimsky died yesterday in St Petersburg.

Nephew of the US music writer Nicolai Slonimsky, he daringly produced some 12-note scores in the 1960s and earned an early reputation as a bit of a rebel. But the system soon cracked down on him and he did penance with a lot of folk-based scores. At the Conservatoire, he was confined to teaching students from Third World countries, which he much enjoyed.

Slonimsky leaves 8 operas, 34 symphonies and a warehouse full of chamber music.

His opera Maria Stuart was performed at the Edinburgh festival by the Mikhailovsky theatre.

Funeral on February 13.

Message from Long Yu:

It has been a very hard decision for me, but I am back in China from the U.S. via Japan. I arrived to an almost empty Beijing airport yesterday. After so much friendly and sincere advice from different people, I finally decided to come back because my family, friends and musicians who have worked with me over the years are here. With this special virus situation in my country, it’s been a hard time for everyone. I have to do whatever I can to care and to support my family, friends, and musicians, and I want to be together with those who I truly love. My heartfelt appreciation also to my dearest music friends Yo-Yo Ma, Manfred Honeck, JaapvanZweden, Frank Peter Zimmermann and all who sent me the most touching messages of care and support. I will bring a very special me to you from this special time. I truly believe music can bring all of us together.

All concerts in China have been cancelled and most musicians are staying at home. This will be a very quiet time for a busy conductor.