February 10, 2025

👋  Happy birthday to the brilliant Yuja Wang! Let her jaw-dropping talent inspire you to hit all the right notes on your own today.

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• The big idea: Trump just crowned himself king of the Kennedy Center
• Talking points:  
  — Daniel Barenboim announces he has Parkinson’s Disease
  — New England Conservatory auctions Stradivarius Violin
• Around the web + Laugh of the week

CLASSICAL CHARTZ

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THE BIG IDEA

Trump Just Crowned Himself King of the Kennedy Center

Ready or not, America's premier performing arts venue is getting a Trump makeover. The former president tweeted Friday that he is going to declare himself chairman, tossing out the current leadership faster than a reality show elimination round.

What's actually happening here

The Kennedy Center isn't just any theatre — it's a living memorial to JFK that houses the National Symphony Orchestra and Washington National Opera. The venue runs on a unique combo of government cash (for the building) and private money (for the shows). For 65 years, presidents have kept their distance from its artistic choices.

Until now.

Why is Trump doing this?

It's part of a bigger shake-up in federal arts funding. Team Trump is already eyeing changes to the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Kennedy Center — caught between government dollars and artistic independence — makes for a perfect target.

The president's main beef? The Center's programming choices, especially drag performances.

Trump's new vision includes:

• Firing current chairman David Rubenstein and other board members

• Targeting drag performances for removal

• Reshaping cultural exchange programs

Here's the catch: The Center's rules say board chairs are elected by members, not appointed by presidents. But that hasn't stopped the Trump train.

Signs of what's to come

The writing was already on the wall. On January 24, Republican Reps. Christopher Smith (NJ) and John Moolenaar (MI) fired off a letter to Kennedy Center leadership. Their target? A five-day performance by the National Ballet of China that they claim promotes Communist propaganda.

For perspective, This is the same venue that hosted Russia's Bolshoi Ballet at the height of the Cold War. Cultural diplomacy has always been part of the Center's mission.

Why this matters

Cultural institutions across the country are watching this like it's the season finale of Succession. If Trump can remake the Kennedy Center, other government-connected arts venues could be next.

"This is about who gets to exist in public spaces and whose stories get to be told on America's stage," says Blaq Dinamyte, president of Qommittee, a national network of drag artists and allies. "Banning an entire art form is censorship, plain and simple. Americans don't have to agree on everything, but we should be able to speak our minds and perform our art without bans, retaliation, or intimidation."

For now, the shows go on. — MV

TOUR DE HEADLINES

Sir Stephen Hough (Courtesy photo)

🎹 All seriousness, no spoonful of sugar? A London concert pianist is comparing classical music to a “stern Mary Poppins,” suggesting that a dash more fun could help woo modern fans. Purists argue that seriousness preserves the art form, but maybe a little Disney magic wouldn’t hurt the Chopin crowd. Read more

👨‍✈️ The “Emerald Maestro” takes flight: Irish conductor David Brophy just scored a major gig in Germany, but he jokes that you’re barely competent at 60 in his profession. Age aside, orchestras are craving new energy and style, and Brophy’s known for blending tradition with a touch of Gaelic flare. Could Bavarian oom-pah meet Irish jigs on the podium next? Read more 

🎼 A grand voice goes silent: Legendary opera singer Paul Plishka has passed away, leaving behind a career that spanned decades at the Met. Fans remember him for his rich bass notes and stage presence that could fill an arena without a mic. His departure marks the end of an era — and a reminder of how fleeting even the mightiest vocals can be. Read more

MORE NEWS TO KNOW

• BBC’s behind-the-scenes scoop: A new video series promises a “peek in the pit,” highlighting the real lives of classical musicians, from nightly practice grinds to frantic costume changes. Viewers say it’s more dramatic than your average Netflix binge, minus the cliffhangers (we hope). Binge it with a side of Bach? Read more

• A forbidden tune travels far: Despite trade bans, Japanese pianos are popping up in Russia through backdoor deals. Classical buffs can’t resist the sound of a Yamaha, even if it means going off-script to snag one. Will black-market Bach become the new norm? Read more

• When Beethoven meets VR: Switzerland’s Orchestre de la Suisse Romande is launching a headset app to give classical fans a 360° seat to the show. VR might feel futuristic, but orchestras see it as an encore-worthy chance to lure a younger, tech-savvy audience. Could the next big venue be your living room couch? Read more

• Bach for baby’s heartbeat? A new study suggests classical music can slow fetal heart rates, which might give new meaning to “Mozart effect.” Though skeptics say it’s not a magic wand for baby brainpower, it’s still a soothing reason to queue up Beethoven in the nursery. Lullabies, meet Liszt. Read more

TALKING POINTS

Daniel Barenboim (Photo: Decca Classics)

Daniel Barenboim Announces He Has Parkinson’s Disease

On Thursday, the legendary pianist and conductor announced he has been suffering from Parkinson’s Disease. The news release follows Barenboim’s previous disclosure that he was experiencing a serious neurological condition.

Beat on the ground: On February 6th, Daniel Barenboim disclosed on social media that he has Parkinson’s Disease. In his release, the 82-year-old pianist and conductor noted that he plans to continue with as many of his professional engagements as possible. He also noted that the ongoing success of his West-Eastern Divan Orchestra remains his top priority, which he will conduct whenever possible and ensure has excellent conductors.

Catch me up: The legendary Argentine-Israeli conductor and pianist Daniel Barenboim founded the West-Eastern Divan Orchestra in 1999 as a way to bring Israeli and Arab musicians together. He also co-founded the Barenboim-Said Akademie in Berlin with the Palestinian scholar Edward Said—a pluralist music school for students from across the Middle East—where Barenboim continues to teach.

In recent years, Daniel Barenboim has bowed out of various engagements due to declining health, including resigning as music director of the Berlin State Opera. His musical peace initiatives are needed more than ever at this difficult historical moment. — SS

 “Joachim-Ma” Stradivarius violin (Photo: Sotheby)

New England Conservatory Auctions Stradivarius Violin

The prestigious Boston music school sold a Stradivarius violin for $11.25 million USD this week, raising funds for the school’s students. 

Driving the news: On Friday February 7th, the New England Conservatory (NEC) in Boston, MA auctioned off the “Joachim-Ma” Stradivarius violin. The “Joachim-Ma” was made in 1714 by the luthier Antonio Stradivari and played by Joseph Joachim—for whom Johannes Brahms wrote his violin concerto—and Si-Hon Ma—a prestigious NEC graduate. Ma donated the violin to NEC in hopes it could one day be used to fund student scholarships. NEC partnered with the Sotheby’s auction house when selling the violin.

Gimme the dirt: The “Joachim-Ma” violin sold for $11.25 million USD. Bidding for the instrument began at $8 million, although Sotheby’s had anticipated it would sell for between $12 and 18 million. While very few instrumentalists can afford to drop upwards of $10 million on a violin, these priceless instruments are often purchased by collectors and loaned to players. In Canada, the Canada Council Musical Instrument Bank offers an opportunity for young players to compete to borrow Stradivarius and other world-class instruments for three years at a time. Hopefully, the “Joachim-Ma” will be played by plenty more talented violinists in years to come.   — SS

GAMES

Dig in to today's mini-crossword.

AROUND THE WEB

🎼 On this day: In 1927, the legendary American soprano Leontyne Price was born. Her performances in Verdi operas remain a pinnacle of 20th-century vocal artistry.

🚀 Video: Check out how NASA’s Voyager probes became humanity’s farthest-flung messengers, bravely venturing into interstellar space since 1977.

🛠️ That’s cool: From the earliest steam-powered cars to modern electric vehicles, here’s a neat timeline of automobile innovation that changed how we move.

🕹️ Game: Test your wits with Five-O, a fast-paced numbers challenge that keeps you on your toes.

🐮 Aww: Is it weird to be best friends with a cow? Decide for yourself after meeting these two goofballs.

LAUGH OF THE WEEK

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