January 15, 2024

A garden in Tasmania has won a prize for the world’s ugliest lawn. Described as a moonscape, the winner says people can save water, help animals and free themselves from the tyranny of lawn mowing.

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In this week’s email:

The big idea: Prokofiev Estate forbids the use of old scores
Conductor moves: Marin Alsop takes on major role at Philadelphia Orchestra
Awards: Star violinist Hilary Hahn receives Avery Fisher Prize
Concert hall of the week
Around the web: Make a drum beat, Taylor Swift’s website before she was famous, explore a forest online, 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

Prokofiev Estate Forbids the Use of Old Scores

The Prokofiev Estate has issued a letter demanding that arts groups use newly approved editions of Sergei Prokofiev’s Romeo and Juliet and Cinderella scores and obtain the necessary licenses, including the Grand Rights license for staged performances.

Is it legal?

In a word, yes. The Prokofiev Estate are the owners of the music and can dictate the terms of use, but like many legal issues, it’s complicated.

In the U.S., these ballets and any music derived from them are protected for 95 years from when they were first published, thanks to a law called the Uruguay Round Agreements Act (URAA). In other countries, the protection lasts as long as the local copyright laws allow, usually until a certain time after the last co-author has died.

They are legally protected as joint works, which means they were created by both Prokofiev and other writers (librettists), and they all share copyright ownership.

What this means

Although an organization might own older editions of the scores and parts for these ballets, G. Schirmer, Inc. and the Wise Music Group have released new editions. These new editions are now the only versions approved by the Prokofiev Estate and, therefore, must be used for all future performances.

If arts companies want to stage these ballets, they need a special type of permission called a "Grand Rights" license. This is needed whether they use live musicians or recorded music.

With live music, they need both a rental agreement for the music and a Grand Rights license. With recorded music, they only need the Grand Rights license.

Prokofiev originally gave the public performance rights to G. Schirmer, meaning they get to decide which edition of the music can be used for public performances. The American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) can grant licenses for public performances, but only if you use the approved editions.

What this means is if you perform these works without following these rules, Wise Music Group can charge offenders retroactively, including penalty fees.

Big picture

One of the central concerns about copyright law is term extensions. These extensions effectively keep works from becoming public domain for a much longer time. This limits public access to important cultural and educational materials, and it can really stifle creativity since artists often draw inspiration from existing works. Plus, these extensions tend to benefit big companies more than individual creators, leading to monopolies and less competition.

They also make it harder and more expensive for students and researchers to access the materials they need.

There's also the legal mess; it becomes tougher to figure out the copyright status of works, which can lead to more legal disputes. And don't forget about historical and cultural preservation – longer copyrights can mean some works get lost over time if they're not properly managed or made accessible.

For another interesting perspective on the matter, see here:

You can read the full letter on Slippedisc.com. — MV

TOUR DE HEADLINES

Jan Latham-Koenig. (Photo via Wikipedia/CC BY-SA 3.0)

Acclaimed British Conductor Jan Latham-Koenig Charged With Child Sex Abuse Offenses — Acclaimed British conductor and OBE recipient Jan Latham-Koenig has been charged with child sex abuse offenses and is scheduled to appear in court on Friday. Latham-Koenig, known for his global engagements and leadership roles in prominent orchestras, was arrested by Metropolitan Police and faces charges related to child sexual offenses. | The Standard

Apple Music Classical Expands to China, Japan, South Korea and More — Apple Music Classical is set to launch in East Asian markets, including China, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Macau on January 24, expanding its reach to classical music enthusiasts with over 5 million tracks. | Music Business Worldwide

The New AI Piano That Allows Disabled Musicians to Play Beethoven in Full Harmony — An innovative AI piano, developed in collaboration with Yamaha, enabled musicians with disabilities to perform Beethoven with full harmony at a concert in Tokyo. The technology augments single notes played by the pianists, allowing them to express the complete musical piece, showcasing the empowering potential of AI in music. | ClassicFM

Cleveland Orchestra’s Music Director to Retire After Current Contract — Franz Welser-Möst, the Austrian conductor and music director of the Cleveland Orchestra, will retire after his contract concludes in June 2027, ending what will be a 25-year tenure with the orchestra. His tenure marks the longest in the orchestra's history. | ViolinChannel.com

Meet Rachmaninov’s Last Surviving Pupil, Incredible 99-Year-Old Virtuoso Ruth Slenczynska — At 99 years old, Ruth Slenczynska, the last living pupil of Sergei Rachmaninov and a former child prodigy, marks a remarkable 90-year musical journey with her latest album release, "My Life in Music." Slenczynska, who began performing in the 1920s, has had a profound impact on classical music and remains an active and celebrated pianist. | ClassicFM

CONDUCTOR MOVES

Marin Alsop (Photo: Nancy Horowitz)

Marin Alsop Takes On Major Role at Philadelphia Orchestra

The Philadelphia Orchestra announced Marin Alsop as their new principal guest conductor.

What’s Up: Beginning in 2024-2025, Marin Alsop will join the Philadelphia Orchestra as principal guest conductor. The position was announced on January 9th by music director Yannick Nézet-Séguin. Alsop will lead the orchestra in multiple subscription concerts, national and international tours, events and residencies.

Yes, But… Conductor Marin Alsop currently leads Vienna’s ORF Radio Symphony Orchestra. She has served as the first female conductor for many symphonies and concert presenters, including the BBC Proms. Her website describes her as the first woman to serve as head of a major orchestra in the US, South America, as well as in Austria and Britain. In 2024, she will make her Metropolitan Opera debut conducting John Adams’ El Niño.

Big Picture: Principal guest conductor roles are prestigious positions often used as launching pads for up-and-coming talents. The appointment of Marin Alsop, 67, demonstrates the Philadelphia Orchestra’s recognition of her contributions to America’s musical culture. President and CEO Matías Tarnopolsky calls her “somebody who has really set a path for women conductors.”

For an inside look at the formidable conductor, watch Alsop reflecting on her early studies with Bernstein:

— SS

AWARDS

Hilary Hahn (Photo: Chris Lee/Deutsche Grammophon)

Star Violinist Hilary Hahn Receives Avery Fisher Prize

The violinist Hilary Hahn is the recipient of the $100,000 USD Avery Fisher Prize

What’s Up: Violinist Hilary Hahn was announced last Thursday as the recipient of the $100,000 USD Avery Fisher Prize. The prize is given by the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and was founded by the philanthropist Avery Fisher. Recipients are chosen for their lasting contributions to the classical music field. Past winners have included Murray Perahia, Yo-Yo Ma, Emmanuel Ax, Midori, and Jeremy Denk.

Backgrounder: Hilary Hahn, 44, is a three-time Grammy winner who has spent decades performing on the international stage. Her commitments to the art form include her new music advocacy, fan engagement, and fostering of educational programs. In 2017, Hahn created the #100daysofpractice hashtag on her Instagram account, which has drawn nearly 900,000 posts from other musicians. Following the birth of her daughter in 2015, Hahn began performing “Bring Your Own Baby” concerts, to provide classical music relief for parents.

Big Picture: Prizes like the Avery Fisher award recognize world-class musicians who make time to give back to their communities. These musicians are what Yo-Yo Ma calls “citizen artists.” Who knows, they might just inspire you to embark on 100 days of practice or some new music commissioning on your own. — SS

QUIZ

Nothing says Monday like a mini-crossword.

AROUND THE WEB

📅 On this day: Tchaikovsky premieres The Sleeping Beauty, Op. 66 in 1890.

🥁 Neat: Make a drum beat right on your web browser.

🎧 Relax: Explore a forest or listen to a book.

🤔 Interesting: This website lets you see what Taylor Swift’s website looked like before she was a superstar.

🐶 Awww: This puppy is in love.

🚨 Do you want to advertise with Ludwig Van? 🚨

We're looking to fill ad slots for 2024. We have run successful campaigns with orchestras such as the Berliner Philharmoniker, record labels like Universal Music, plus opera companies and music festivals. If interested, hit REPLY on this email, or click here.

CONCERT HALL OF THE WEEK

Cidade das Artes (Courtesy Photo)

Cidade das Artes (Rio De Janeiro, Brasil)

Opened in 2013, The Cidade das Artes in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is the largest modern concert hall in South America. Designed by French architect Christian Portzamparc, it's a multifaceted cultural center hosting a variety of events including art exhibitions, dance, comedy, and workshops. Its acoustics were designed by Chinese engineer Albert Yaying Xu, whose innovative use of geometry and angles facilitates superb sound diffusion and diffraction, echoing the acoustic qualities of traditional baroque-decorated concert halls in Berlin and Vienna.

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