February 18, 2025

👋 Strike the right chord today, like French railway SNCF finally getting in tune with musicians by allowing double basses on high-speed trains. No more bass-ic transportation problems for these instrumentalists!

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The big idea: That "perfect pitch" superpower? Turns out anyone can learn it
Talking points:
— Renée Fleming cuts ties with Kennedy Center following Trump takeover
— L’Orchestre de la Suisse-Romande Releases VR app
Around the web + Laugh of the week

CLASSICAL CHARTZ

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THE BIG IDEA

That "Perfect Pitch" Superpower? Turns Out Anyone Can Learn It

Remember being told some musicians just have a magical ability to name any note they hear? That gift called perfect pitch (or absolute pitch if you're fancy) lets them identify a C-sharp as easily as you'd spot the colour red?

Yeah, about that. New research says we've all been lied to.

The myth that wouldn't die

For years, the story went like this: either you were born with absolute pitch (and started piano lessons before you could tie your shoes), or you missed the boat entirely. Mozart had it. Beethoven had it. And unless you were similarly blessed by the musical gods, tough luck.

Plot twist: adults can learn it too

Scientists just dropped some mind-bending news: adults can actually train their way to perfect pitch levels that rival the "naturals." No special genes or childhood violin lessons required.

Here's how they proved it:

A team put together an eight-week boot camp for musicians. We're talking serious commitment here - participants put in 21 hours and crushed over 15,000 exercises. They'd hear a note for less than a second and had to name it, fast.

The training was rigorous. They had to nail both accuracy and speed, with the difficulty cranking up as they improved. Think of it like a really intense musical video game, but with 288 levels to master.

The results?

By the end, these adult learners were crushing it:

Could nail 7+ notes almost every time
Responded in 1-2 seconds flat
Doubled their note-identifying skills
Even got 43% closer when they guessed wrong

The kicker? Two participants mastered all 12 pitches at the same level as people born with the gift.

Why this matters

This isn't just about musicians finally getting their shot at a skill they thought they'd missed out on. It's about challenging what we think is possible for adult learners.

Turns out your brain is way more adaptable than we thought, even well into adulthood. The secret sauce? Good training design, the right feedback, and keeping it fun enough that people actually want to do it.

PS: If you've been secretly harbouring dreams of showing off your note-naming skills at parties, your time has finally come. — MV

TOUR DE HEADLINES

👶 Can church choirs survive without kids? The Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) is sounding the alarm over a decline in young singers in UK church choirs, calling for action to keep the tradition alive. With fewer children participating, some choirs are struggling to continue, potentially threatening centuries-old musical heritage. The RSCM is urging churches to invest in outreach and education to make choir singing more appealing to younger generations. Read more

🚆 Bassists, rejoice! France’s high-speed rail network, TGV, is finally allowing double basses on board. Until now, bassists traveling by train faced restrictions that forced them to find alternative (and costly) transport options. The decision is a win for traveling musicians, who often struggle with inconsistent instrument policies across airlines and rail services. Read more

🎻 Another airline, another violin dispute. A violinist was denied boarding on a PLAY Airlines flight after crew refused to let her carry her instrument in the cabin—even though the airline’s policy allows violins as hand luggage. The musician had to book a last-minute ticket on another airline, adding to the growing list of musicians facing unexpected travel woes. Read more

MORE NEWS TO KNOW

LA Opera pulls Missy Mazzoli's new work. The company has dropped Mazzoli’s highly anticipated opera, which was slated for a future season. While no official reason was given, the decision has raised concerns about support for living composers in major opera houses. Mazzoli, one of today’s most celebrated contemporary opera composers, is known for pushing the boundaries of the art form. Read more
Conductor apologizes for ‘Mafia’ remark. British conductor Edward Gardner has issued an apology after describing chorus members at Naples’ Teatro San Carlo as “two rival Mafia families” who sent each other to the hospital. The remark, made in an interview with The Times, sparked backlash, with the opera house threatening legal action. Gardner clarified that his comment was based on a real altercation but insisted he never meant to imply the singers were actually connected to organized crime. Read more

Violinist refuses to let hearing loss hold him back. Matthew English, a 19-year-old musician from West Sussex, was born with microtia atresia—a condition that left him without an ear or ear canal. Despite his hearing impairment, he’s dedicated to his craft, performing for charities and care homes while balancing his role as a full-time carer for his grandfather. His musical journey was jumpstarted in 2012 when The Osmonds gifted him his first violin, and in January, Donny Osmond honoured him with a One Big Thank You on BBC’s The One Show. Read more

TALKING POINTS

Renée Fleming (Photo: Opera News)

Renée Fleming Cuts Ties With Kennedy Center Following Trump Takeover

The star soprano Renée Fleming announced her resignation from her post as Artistic Advisor at Large for the Kennedy Center. Fleming’s resignation follows Donald Trump’s self-appointment as Chairman of the Kennedy Center.

Driving the news: In a Facebook post on February 12th, the soprano Renée Fleming announced her resignation as Artistic Advisor at Large for the Kennedy Center. Fleming’s resignation follows Donald Trump’s February 7th declaration on Truth Social that he would serve as the Kennedy Center’s Chairman. Trump cited the Kennedy Center’s drag shows as one concern he had with the Center. He removed all Biden appointees from the board and fired Chairman David Rubenstein and President Deborah Rutter. Fleming noted that she treasured David Rubenstein and Deborah Rutter’s bipartisan support for the Kennedy Center, and that she hopes the Center will continue to serve diverse audiences.

The follow-up: Many have noted how Trump’s actions echo those of authoritarian regimes in Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, who understood that controlling the arts meant controlling public thought. Artists including Issa Rae, Ben Folds, Low Cut Connie, and Shonda Rhimes have also cancelled appearances and cut ties with the Kennedy Center following Trump’s takeover.

The folk singer Joan Baez posted on Facebook to thank Renée Fleming for her leadership in stepping down from the Kennedy Center. Brava to Ms. Fleming and others who have taken a stand against this frightening development. — SS

Virtual Hall®, (Photo: video still)

L’Orchestre de la Suisse-Romande Releases VR App

The Swiss company Cybel’Art has developed a VR app allowing audiences to experience performing alongside the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande. The app was launched at Art Genève in late January.

Les nouvelles: At Geneva’s illustrious Art Genève festival, the Orchestre de la Suisse-Romande recently launched the first VR app dedicated to live orchestral performance. The app, Virtual Hall®, was developed by the company Cybel’Art and allows the user to feel as if they were onstage with the orchestra. Developers used seven cameras to simultaneously record 360 degrees around the orchestra. Users have the option of switching their perspective between the vantage of different members of the orchestra and conductor.

Un peu plus…: While Virtual Hall® is the first app for classical music VR, other orchestras have played with the idea before. In 2024, the Mahler Chamber Orchestra created virtual reality experiences for audience members. Operas have created mixed reality experiences and governments have invested hugely in developing artistic VR experiences.

Developers of Virtual Hall® aimed to remove traditional impediments to accessing live classical music. These include geographic, financial, physical, and mental health barriers. If that’s the case, we at Ludwig Van say bring on the headsets! — SS

GAMES

Dig in to today's mini-crossword.

AROUND THE WEB

🐦 On this day: In 1885, Mark Twain's "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" was published in the United States, becoming a classic in American literature.

👀 Video: This guy spends 150 hours making the ultimate chocolate cake.

🚀 That’s cool: Ever wondered what it would take to build a space elevator?

🐎 Game: Relive a classic — can you survive the Oregon Trail?

🐑 Aww: Big snowstorm today! Best day for a long nap outside!

LAUGH OF THE WEEK

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