James Weaver, former director of the Musical Instruments collection at the Smithsonian Institution and founder of the Smithsonian Chamber Players, has died of the effects of Covid-19.
Stephen Hammer writes: ‘Jim was one of the most genuinely nice people I have ever known; his joy in music and in other people was contagious. A wonderful harpsichordist and organist, his political skills and ingenuity in getting Federal funding for early music concerts by budgeting them as living museum exhibits made hundreds of pioneering and well-paid performances and recordings possible for a generation of American musicians in the the 70’s and 80’s. We will always be grateful, and hold him dear in friendship and memory.’
Weaver performed on many historic hapsichord recordings, including the first US-based period instrument release of Handel’s Messiah.
The leading Martinu scholar, František Popelka, has died at 88.
His father had been the composer’s close friend and he founded the Martinu museum at Policka.
Members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra have unanimously agreed to take a 25 percent pay cut through the end of August. The musicians have also agreed other restructurings of their time provision over the next two years.
Seventy full-time employees have been placed on furlough with health benefits, starting April 20.
Mark Volpe, BSO President and CEO, will give up half his base salary. BSO Music Director Andris Nelsons will not be paid for cancelled performances. Boston Pops Conductor Keith Lockhart will also take ‘a substantial cut’.
No decision has yet been announced about the Tanglewood Festival in August.
Sir Antonio Pappano has waived his salary as director of Rome’s Santa Cecilia Orchestra for the duration of Covid-19 measures.
The orchestra has been played on furlough. Musicians will receive a proportion of their salary, details yet to be disclosed. Pappano will not acccept penny while they are deprived. The orchestra’s president, Michele Dall ‘Ongaro, has taken a 30 percent cut.
J’Nai Bridges, Julia Bullock and pals.
‘A diva’, they’re singing, ‘is the female version of a hustler’.