No images? Click here August 28, 2023 According to a new survey, nearly half of UK musicians have had less work in the EU since Brexit, and more than a quarter have had no EU work at all. Read about it in today's big idea. +++ In this week’s email:
CLASSICAL CHARTS THE BIG IDEA Study Reveals Brexit's Impact on UK MusiciansISM, or the Independent Society of Musicians, has just released a new report, "Paying the Price" which gives an in-depth look at how Brexit is affecting musicians in the UK. The results are not good. The report specifically dives into the aftermath of Brexit for our musicians. Over 400 artists and industry professionals active in Europe in Jan 2021 contributed. Here's the breakdown
What they’re saying ISM's Chief, Deborah Annetts, highlights the value of the UK music industry, currently ringing in at a cool £5.8 billion. She believes the current Brexit situation is causing some discord. Prominent voices like British mezzo-soprano Jennifer Johnston and Welsh bass-baritone Paul Carey Jones echo the sentiment, emphasizing the barriers faced, particularly by emerging artists. Why it matters At £5.8 billion in 2019, music is a significant economic contributor to the UK economy. With Brexit bringing in hurdles and complications for artists, the vibrancy of the UK's music scene and the financial dividends it brings are both at stake. Here's hoping they can find a way to solve this issue. Read the full report here (PDF). TOUR DE HEADLINES Jukka-Pekka Saraste (Photo courtesy of the Sibelius Academy ) Jukka-Pekka Saraste Named Chief Conductor and Artistic Director of Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra — The Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra (HPO) has announced Jukka-Pekka Saraste as its chief conductor starting in September 2023. | The Strad Gustavo Dudamel to Speak at Scottish Parliament — Gustavo Dudamel will join Clare Adamson, MSP, Convener of the Constitution, Europe, External Affairs and Culture Committee, in conversation at the Scottish Parliament on August 25. | OperaWire Detroit Opera Names Next President and CEO — Patty Isacson Sabee, with an impressive arts leadership background, will be Detroit Opera's next CEO and president. She succeeds Wayne S. Brown, retiring in 2023-24. | Detroit Free Press Dismantle the Maestro Myth and Classical Music Will Suffer — John Eliot Gardiner's reputation for poor manners and temperamental outbursts towards colleagues is well-known in music circles. While many acknowledge his immense talent, some question if classical music's prestige is partially built on such dominant personalities. | The Spectator Metropolitan Opera to Observe Ukraine’s Independence Day — The Metropolitan Opera is commemorating Ukraine's Independence Day by showcasing Ukrainian flags and broadcasting the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra. Their ongoing support for Ukraine includes concerts, collaborations, and special performances. | OperaWire Philip Glass Announces Massive Box Set Philip Glass Piano Etudes — Philip Glass's upcoming deluxe boxed set, arriving October 31st, features 20 solo piano etudes and insightful essays by notable figures. These etudes, composed between the early 1990s and 2012, cater to pianists of all levels. | Consequence of Sound LGBTQ+: Opera Must Have More Diverse Character Representation — Welsh tenor Elgan Llŷr Thomas emphasizes the importance of increasing LGBTQ+ representation in opera to ensure its survival. While acknowledging the strides made in diversity, he insists on the addition of new stories and diverse characters in opera. | BBC CONDUCTOR John Eliot Gardiner (Photo: The Philharmonia Orchestra) Maestro John Eliot Gardiner Accused of Assaulting Singer; Pulls Out of PromsThe famed conductor allegedly struck and verbally abused the bass William Thomas after he exited the wrong way off stage during a performance. Sir John Eliot Gardiner is accused of punching, slapping and calling a singer a “dozy bastard” during a performance of Berlioz’s Les Troyens. The singer, William Thomas, reportedly exited the podium the wrong way, provoking the conductor’s wrath. Sir John’s agency later issued a statement citing problems with heat exhaustion and a recent change in the 80-year-old conductor’s medication. The Apology: Sir John later expressed remorse, saying, “I deeply regret the incident which occurred at the Festival Berlioz at La Côte-Saint-André on Tuesday evening and apologise unreservedly for losing my temper immediately after the performance.” He has since withdrawn from the rest of his tour with the Monteverdi Choir and Orchestra, including performances at the BBC Proms. Zoom Out: The Gardiner assault comes during a time when numerous stories of abuse by conductors and prominent performers are circulating the classical music world. Just a few years ago, Daniel Barenboim was accused of bullying and inciting fear in members of his orchestra. Last week, the countertenor and former University professor David Daniels and his husband pled guilty to sexually assaulting a young singer. William Thomas’ management, Arkansas Holt, stated in response to Thomas’ assault, “All musicians deserve the right to practice their art in an environment free from abuse or physical harm.” Amen to that. INFLUENCES (L-R) Ed Sheeran (Photo Wikipedia/ Harald Krichel) / Edward Elgar (Public Domain) Ed Sheeran Finds Classical Music Inspiration in Upcoming AlbumThe British singer-songwriter recently announced his next album, “Autumn Variations,” inspired by Elgar’s 1899 Enigma Variations. On Thursday, the Grammy-award-winning singer Ed Sheeran announced his second album of 2023, “Autumn Variations.” The album will be produced by The National’s Aaron Dessner, also known for his collaborations with Taylor Swift and Gracie Abrams. The Inspiration: Sheeran was inspired by Edward Elgar’s 14-movement Op. 36, Variations on an Original Theme, popularly known as the Enigma Variations. Sheeran explained in a statement that each movement in Elgar’s opus was inspired by a different one of the composer’s friends, which inspired Sheeran to do the same on his 14-song album. The Comparison: In a 1911 program note, Elgar wrote of his Enigma Variations: “This work, commenced in a spirit of humour & continued in deep seriousness, contains sketches of the composer's friends. … The sketches are not 'portraits' but each variation contains a distinct idea founded on some particular personality or perhaps on some incident known only to two people.” Sheeran’s notes about his album are written in the same vein. He said, “Last autumn, I found that my friends and I were going through so many life changes. … When I learned about my friends’ different situations, I wrote songs, some from their perspectives, some from mine, to capture how they and I viewed the world at that time.” Edward Elgar improvised much of his Variations one night to his wife after a long day. Sheeran described a similar fervour when writing his album with Aaron Dessner, saying,“We wrote and recorded non-stop.” When can I hear it?: Sheeran’s album won’t be out till September 29th. Until then, enjoy Elgar’s heart-wrenching and intimately crafted Nimrod from Enigma. QUIZ One of the most famous moments in the clarinet repertoire is the trill and glissando that open what classic 1924 orchestral work by George Gershwin?A: Rhapsody in Blue B: An American in Paris C: Swanee D: I Got Rhythm Scroll down for the answer… AROUND THE WEB 📅 On this day: In 1965, Bob Dylan was booed for playing electric guitar at Forest Hills Tennis Stadium in Queens, New York City. 🌡 Helpful: Zoom in to see current temperatures anywhere in the world. 🤔 Daydream: How much money would you be making if you were Elon Musk? Find out. 🤖 Cure Boredom: Tossing a robot is oddly satisfying. PHOTO OF THE WEEK A young child cries while playing violin at the funeral of music teacher Evandro João da Silva. (Photo: Marcos Tristao) The photo was taken at the memorial service in Rio de Janeiro honouring the respected local music teacher Evandro João da Silva, who was tragically murdered in 2009. The young musician's tear-streaked face and the profound sorrow in his eyes poignantly encapsulate the community's immense grief and the enduring legacy da Silva imparted. QUIZ ANSWER A: Rhapsody in Blue How did you like today's email? |