September 16, 2024

Deutsche Grammophon is recording all of Arnold Schoenberg's orchestral works with the Danish National Orchestra, conducted by Fabio Luisi. First up is Verklärte Nacht. Which, for those of you not fluent in German, loosely translates to 'Confused Audience.'

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In this week’s email:

The big idea: Gardiner’s comeback: a new orchestra and choir
Making news: Juilliard receives $20M donation
Talking points: Soprano Angela Gheorghiu interrupts colleague’s encore in Korea
Laugh of the week

CLASSICAL CHARTZ

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THE BIG IDEA

Gardiner’s Comeback: A New Orchestra and Choir

Last year, renowned conductor Sir John Eliot Gardiner made headlines after physically assaulting a soloist during a performance.

The backstory

Gardiner, known for his meticulous musical standards, was reported to have punched and slapped singer William Thomas during the Berlioz festival in France for entering the stage incorrectly. This incident led to Gardiner withdrawing from the BBC Proms and issuing a public apology. He acknowledged his wrongdoing, stating, “I make no excuses for my behavior and have apologized personally to Will Thomas, for whom I have the greatest respect.” Gardiner also recognized that “physical violence is never acceptable and that musicians should always feel safe.” Following this, he took time away from conducting to seek specialist help and reflect on his actions, later revealing he was struggling with extreme heat and possible side effects from a recent medication change.

The Comeback

Now, Gardiner is making a comeback with a brand-new project. He recently announced the formation of the Constellation Choir and Constellation Orchestra, under the Springhead Constellation umbrella. These new ensembles mark his return to the musical scene, a comeback he feels ready for after what he describes as a period of learning and reflection. The group will perform a series of concerts at venues across Germany, France, Austria, and Luxembourg this December. These concerts are the result of personal invitations from the venues, inviting Gardiner to bring his unique style and quality of performance to their audiences.

Backed by…

Despite last year's controversy, Gardiner remains a beloved figure in the classical music world. More than 100 musicians voiced support for his return, even after the Monteverdi Choir & Orchestras (MCO) board decided he wouldn’t return as their leader. Additionally, King Charles, a personal friend, selected him to lead the first 20 minutes of music at the coronation last May. Clearly, Gardiner is not ready to retire and is eager to focus on new projects, including a tour extending through 2025 and into 2026.

The Bigger Picture

Is there room for learning and growth after personal failings? Gardiner's return raises questions about accountability and redemption in the classical music world. Gardiner’s new chapter ultimately underscores the complex balance between artistic legacy and personal conduct. — MV

TOUR DE HEADLINES

Jakub Józef Orliński. (Photo: Sophia Evans/the Observer)

Breakdancing Feeds Into My Performances – Music Dictates the Way You Move on Stage’ — Countertenor Jakub Józef Orliński discusses how his breakdancing, skateboarding, and modeling experiences influence his performances and his desire to push classical music boundaries, as he prepares for his BBC Proms debut and new album release. | The Guardian

Classical Music Enhances Mood by Triggering Triple-Time Locking in the Extended Amygdala — A recent study in "Cell Reports" reveals that listening to classical music can synchronize brain regions responsible for processing sound and emotion, providing a potential non-drug approach to treating depression through what researchers call "triple-time locking" of neural oscillations in the auditory cortex and emotional processing circuits. | PsyPost

JC Bach Was the Darling of Georgian London. Will His Forgotten Opera Shake off the Shadow of His Celebrated Father? — London is set to recognize the legacy of Johann Christian Bach, the youngest son of Johann Sebastian Bach and a once-celebrated composer in his own right, with the publication of the score of his long-forgotten opera "Lucio Silla," offering a chance for his talent to be appreciated anew in the city he called home. | The Guardian

Sejong Center Official Hits Back at Angela Gheorghiu Following Soprano’s Statement on Seoul Controversy — The Sejong Center responded to soprano Angela Gheorghiu's claim that an agreement was made to not include encores in a recent performance of "Tosca," stating that no formal agreement was in place and that the encore decision, made in response to audience applause, is the conductor's prerogative, not determined by a single performer's preference. | OperaWire

MAKING NEWS

The Juilliard School (Courtesy photo)

Juilliard Receives $20M Donation

This week, the Juilliard School announced Jody and John Arnhold’s donation of $20 Million USD. Their donations will benefit Juilliard’s Jazz and Creative Enterprise programs.

What’s up: On September 11th, the Juilliard School announced that the Arnhold Foundation had donated $20 million to the school. $5 million of the gift will go towards Juilliard Jazz and the rest towards the school’s Creative Enterprise program. The jazz program’s gift is the largest in its history and will enhance scholarship programs, curricular offerings, and performance activities. The donation celebrates Juilliard Jazz’s leader, Wynton Marsalis.

The Creative Associates program was created in 2018 by Juilliard President Damien Woetzel. The program brings together a group of interdisciplinary artists who collaboratively engage the Juilliard community. The Creative Associates will be renamed the Arnhold Creative Associates.

Catch-up: Jody and John Arnhold’s philanthropic donations have totalled over $50 million since 2005. They donate to causes including environmental efforts, arts and humanities, and athletics. Jody Arnhold is a former public school teacher. Her husband John’s father Henry was head of a prominent banking family.— SS

TALKING POINTS

Angela Gheorghiu (Photo: Ken Howard)

Soprano Angela Gheorghiu Interrupts Colleague’s Encore in Korea

During a Tosca performance in Seoul, the soprano Angela Gheorghiu interrupted her colleague’s encore of his aria. The interruption drew ire from the opera’s audience.

Driving the news: On September 8th, the soprano Angela Gheorghiu interrupted tenor Alfred Kim’s encore of his aria during Puccini’s Tosca with the Seoul Metropolitan Opera. After the aria, “E lucevan le stelle,” Kim received such thunderous applause that conductor Jee Joong-Bae began a reprise. Gheorghiu stormed on stage, telling the audience: “Excuse me. It’s a performance. It’s not a recital. Respect me.”

Jee attempted to ignore Gheorghiu, but her gestures were so persistent he eventually stopped the orchestra and the encore, continuing the opera as planned. Gheorghiu’s behaviour prompted booing during her curtain call. Many fans asked for refunds and condemned Gheorghiu as disrespectful to Korean audiences.

The backstory: This isn’t the first time Angela Gheorghiu has reacted poorly to an encore. In 2018, she refused to re-enter the stage at the Vienna State Opera during a performance of Tosca after Jonas Kaufmann performed an encore. This prompted Kaufmann to sing to the audience, “non abbiamo un soprano…” before apologizing to the audience in German.

Gheorghiu’s management stated that Gheorghiu believes encores disrupt the integrity of a performance. They claim Jee Joong-Bae had assured Gheorghiu there would be no encores during Tosca, although apparently no formal agreement was made.

The tenor Alfred Kim has made headlines before, but for violent behaviour towards a woman. Gheorghiu famously accused her former husband Roberto Alagna of domestic violence. Who knows, maybe she didn’t like performing with Kim to begin with. — SS

GAMES

Nothing says Monday like a mini-crossword .

LAUGH OF THE WEEK

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