May 13, 2024

After a public outcry, Apple has apologized for publishing an advertising campaign promoting the iPad. The video advertisement depicted musical instruments, metronomes, and a bust of Beethoven being demolished in a giant vice.

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In this week’s email:

• The big idea: Scientists unlock more answers from Beethoven's hair
• Crisis: Opera luminaries pen open letter protesting Welsh National Opera’s budget cuts
• Accolades: Composer Tyshawn Sorey wins 2024 Pulitzer Prize 
• Laugh of the week
• Around the web: NASA’s best photos from 2023, the story behind the “Planet of the Apes”, a random compliment generator, plus more curious internet finds.

CLASSICAL CHARTZ

Weekly selections are based on sales numbers and albums we simply love and think you NEED to hear!

For the complete top 20, tune into Classical Chartz with the New Classical FM’s Mark Wigmore every Saturday from 3-5 pm EST!

THE BIG IDEA

Scientists Pull Answers From Beethoven's Hair

New research into Ludwig van Beethoven’s authenticated hair samples has offered fresh insights into the famed composer's chronic health issues, potentially solving long-standing mysteries.

Scientists discovered alarmingly high lead concentrations in Beethoven's hair, with levels reaching up to 95 times the expected amount. This toxic exposure is linked to severe liver disease, hearing loss, and chronic gastrointestinal issues.

Genetic puzzle

These findings emerge from an international study that analyzed Beethoven's genome and authenticated hair samples, uncovering high lead, arsenic, and mercury levels.

Historical context: The study, published in Clinical Chemistry, reveals that while these toxic elements significantly impacted Beethoven’s health, they were not the sole contributors to his early death at age 56. The research delves into historical practices such as the use of lead acetate in wine, likely a source of Beethoven’s lead exposure, offering a window into 19th-century life and its unsuspecting dangers.

As researchers continue to piece together the puzzle of Beethoven’s complex health narrative, the connection between his physical suffering and the profound depths of his music grows ever clearer, adding a poignant layer to the understanding of his genius.

The bigger picture: The study of Beethoven's health through his hair samples is not unique. Similar studies have been conducted on the remains of Johann Sebastian Bach, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and Frédéric Chopin — each aiming to unlock the mysteries of their premature deaths. This forensic approach to studying historical figures sheds light on their personal challenges and enhances our understanding of their environmental conditions. — MV

TOUR DE HEADLINES

Photo via Seattle Police Department

Missing: 1890 Enrico Marchetti Cello Stolen in Seattle —   A cello made in 1890 by Enrico Marchetti, worth approximately $250,000, was stolen from Sarah Rommel's home in Seattle, with police currently investigating the burglary. | The Strad

Fans Flock to Paris to Cheer as Lise Davidsen Becomes Classical Music’s Taylor Swift — Lise Davidsen has risen to prominence in the classical music scene, drawing large crowds to the Paris Opéra for her debut in the title role of Strauss' "Salome," coinciding with Taylor Swift's concert tour in the same city, marking her status as classical music's equivalent of a major pop star. | City News

A Caroline Shaw Premiere That Shoots for the Moon and Stars — At Brangwyn Hall in Swansea, the BBC National Orchestra of Wales premiered Caroline Shaw's "The Observatory" with vibrant performances by Sergio Tiempo and conductor Giancarlo Guerrero, who brought both cosmic inspiration and dynamic intensity to the evening. | The Guardian

Lang Lang Surprises 10-Year-Old Superfan on the Piano After Sparkling Haydn Solo —After a stunning performance of Haydn's Piano Sonata No. 37 at Edinburgh station, 10-year-old piano prodigy Sum was surprised by his idol Lang Lang, who praised his playing and made a memorable appearance on Channel 4’s show "The Piano."  | Classic FM

His Majesty King Charles Retains Patronage of Royal Opera House — King Charles III has agreed to continue his patronage of the Royal Opera and the Royal Opera House, as well as retain the patronage of the Royal Ballet, previously held by Queen Elizabeth II, affirming the Royal Family's long-standing support for these prestigious cultural institutions. | OperaWire

CRISIS

Wales Millennium Centre September 2023 (CC BY-SA 4.0/ Wikipedia)

Opera Luminaries Pen Open Letter Protesting Welsh National Opera’s Budget Cuts

More than 175 opera artists signed a letter to the British and Welsh governments addressing the effects of the Arts Council of England's funding cuts on the Welsh National Opera (WNO). The WNO’s budget will decrease from £6.2 to £4 million a year as a result of the cuts. 

Driving the news: England’s opera scene has been reeling since November 2022, when the Arts Council of England (ACE) announced huge funding cuts to the UK’s major opera companies. In September of 2023, the Welsh National Opera suffered a second blow when the ACE announced further cuts to the WNO. As a result, the WNO recently announced the cancellation of its production of Rigoletto, a two week reduction from its performance calendar, as well as cancelled touring dates. 

Why it matters: Founded in 1943, the Welsh National Opera is the largest touring company in England and is considered one of Wales’ finest national institutions. The company has 222 employees and maintains a year-round schedule.

The letter penned by music director Tomáš Hanus expresses that the WNO’s new budget is meagre even by regional opera companies’ standards, which will make the company’s high quality hard to maintain.

Fingers crossed that the British and Welsh governments reconsider the decisions of the ACE and protect this jewel in the so-called Land of Song. — SS

ACCOLADES

Tyshawn Sorey (Courtesy photo)

Composer Tyshawn Sorey Wins 2024 Pulitzer Prize

The composer and multi-instrumentalist Tyshawn Sorey has been awarded the 2024 Pulitzer Prize in Music for his piece Adagio (for Wadada Leo Smith). Sorey describes the piece as a stately, understated work for saxophone and orchestra that treasures intimacy over spectacle. The work was co-commissioned by the Lucerne Festival and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

What’s up: On May 6th, 2024, the Pulitzer Prize announced its annual award recipients. Tyshawn Sorey, the Newark-based composer, multi-instrumentalist and composition faculty at the University of Pennsylvania, took home the musical award for his 2023 composition for saxophone and orchestra Adagio (for Wadada Leo Smith). Sorey frequently dedicates his compositions to artists he admires and named this one for the trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith.

Refresher: Tyshawn Sorey is no stranger to public acclaim. Adagio (for Wadada Leo Smith) follows his 2023 nomination for the Pulitzer for his composition Monochromatic Light (Afterlife). Sorey was a 2017 MacArthur Fellow and a 2018 United States Artists Fellow.

His music is notable for its transcendence of traditional genres, blurring the lines between classical and jazz and redefining the world of musical improvisation. An archival recording of his introspective, genre-defying and now Pulitzer-winning work is available here. — SS

GAMES

Nothing says Monday like a mini-crossword.

AROUND THE WEB

📅 On this day: Symphony No. 4 in A Major, Op. 90 by Felix Mendelssohn premiers in 1833.

😊 Good intentions: Rough day? Take a compliment.

🐒 Interesting: How a series of B-movies evolved into the ultimate franchise reboot: Planet of the Apes.

👨‍🚀 Neat: NASA’s best photos of 2023.

🐾 Awww: This pretty lady is celebrating her 15th birthday today.

LAUGH OF THE WEEK

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Today's email was brought to you by Sara "Land of Song" Schabas and Michael "Beethoven Quiff" Vincent.

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