New music fest is cancelled at two days’ notice
mainThe Donaueschinger Musiktage, the oldest and best showcase for contemporary music, was scrapped last night due to Covid-19. It was due to take place from October 15 to 18.
‘In view of the rapid development of the past few days, we had no other choice, said artistic director, Björn Gottstein. ‘It’s frustrating and incredibly painful.’
Donaueschingen in the bad boy days
I miss the bad boy days…. some haphazard tripe from Anna Clyne et al is hardly composition really, is it?
Would that be Anna Kleine Nachtmuzik?
A little spark of positive news in the pandemic.
Does anyone recognize the man talking to the two bad boys?
It’s a CIA agent, reassuring the boys that however awful it all sounds, it is a symbol of the Free World and as such sure to become classical in the course of time. As you can see in the picture, B and S had become quite depressed after a rehearsel.
Nicolas Nabokov, maybe?
Yep. I think so. Must be Heinrich Strobel, talking to Stockhausen and Boulez.
Though I never met the man himself, I‘ve seen his picture at the SWR Experimental Studio, which he founded and which bears his name.
Strobel was a major proponent of modern music even before the war, making a strong case for Weill, Křenek and, of course, Hindemith.
How he managed to survive despite this, and despite saving his wife Hilde Levy from deportation and death, would make an interesting story.
Thank you!