Reader Antoine Leboyer writes to point out that the New York Philharmonic has made its programme archive available online and that the archive shows how past programmes were far more varied than those played today. Here are just some of the composers that Antoine highlights from past concerts by the orchestra: Siniaglia, Busoni, Bosi, Chadwick, Stanford, Loeffler, McDowell, Hadley, Goldmark, Pfitzner, Enesco, Vieuxtemps and Grétry. Antoine also remarks on how Webern's music has virtually disappeared from New York concerts in recent years. One of the many confidence tricks of the digital era is how a long tail of cultural riches was promised , but a short head immaculately coiffed by audience whoring celebrities was actually delivered. I suggest that one of the key search criteria for the New York Philharmonic's new music director should be a passion for giving audiences permission to like unfamiliar music . Graphic is grabbed from the New York Philarmonic archive lan
Comments
I really do not understand why those Londoners are programming Hugh Masakela. I’ve listened to his Music and frankly speaking : I didn’t like it.
Threre’s much better in South Africa. Take for instance Dollar Brand , i e Abdullah Ibrahim. A great artist.
Just listen to “ Good News From Africa”. A masterpiece. It’s http://www.jazzrecords.com/enja/2048.htm
He’s very serious. He wants his Music to be respected. He doesn’t start playing as long as there is noise in the concert hall.
My guess is that he’s not that well known in the UK. When he was in exile ( apartheid) he lived in Germany. He keeps playing all over Europe ( mostly in Germany). He now has a small institute at the Cape Town University.
You can find info on pianist Dollar Brand / Abdullah Ibrahim here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abdullah_Ibrahim
and most of all : http://www.abdullahibrahim.com/indexf.html
The Guardian said : http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2001/dec/08/jazz
I think you’ll like this Music.
BT