February 12, 2024

Sweet 116: A town in California threw a birthday parade for Edie Ceccarelli, America’s oldest person. When asked the secret to her longevity? A little red wine and minding your own business.

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It's Monday. Let's get to it.

The big idea: Ballet company opts for canned music
Legends: Conductor Seiji Ozawa dies at 88
Opera: Opera based on Kurt Cobain premieres at the LA Philharmonic
Laugh of the week
Around the web: The perfect playlist, exploring the term "girl" online, Wordle paradise, 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

Ballet Company Opts for Canned Music

UK’s Northern Ballet has decided to replace its live orchestra with recordings in upcoming tours.

This pivot, driven by stark economic challenges, has sparked concern among ballet purists and musicians alike, threatening jobs and the cherished authenticity of the ballet experience.

Economic Strain Curtails Live Music Tradition

Established in the cultural heart of Leeds in 1969, the Northern Ballet is faceing criticism after a surprising announcement reducing the number of live orchestral performances and moving to canned music for touring in September 2023.

Citing financial pressures as the reason behind the move, the company included Northern Ballet Sinfonia and the Musicians' Union in the decision.

“We are very conscious of the uncertainty and distress these ongoing negotiations are causing for Sinfonia members and the Company at large…” the Northern Ballet’s statement read.

“As a Company touring widely with a large number of dancers, musicians and other staff, we have been particularly exposed to inflation in all areas of operation.’

The company also shared that it is “actively fundraising and lobbying key stakeholders on this issue to ensure that future audiences in towns and cities across the UK will be able to experience large-scale ballet accompanied by live music.”

What Stands to Be Lost?

While the company stresses economic hardships and the desire to keep touring viable, this cost-saving tactic is at the expense of artistic quality and musicians' livelihoods.

The decision may lead to job losses and a diluted audience experience.

Looking to the Future

This strategic pivot by Northern Ballet may save costs, but it also risks the very essence of ballet that patrons have cherished for decades.

Echoing protests seen in places like Dallas, where musicians rallied against similar measures, watering down an art form is hardly a good look for a serious ballet company. — MV

TOUR DE HEADLINES

Sir Simon Rattle (Photo: Symphonieorchester des Bayerischen Rundfunks)

Sir Simon Rattle Named Principal Guest Conductor of the Czech Philharmonic — Sir Simon Rattle has been named Principal Guest Conductor of the Czech Philharmonic from the 2024/25 season. He aims to broaden the orchestra's repertoire and deepen its artistic potential. | The Violin Channel

Musicians Walk Out After London Orchestra Leaves Them Unpaid for Months — Musicians from the London Chamber Orchestra protested unpaid wages for five months, disrupting a Cadogan Hall concert. | The Guardian

Columbus Symphony Orchestra’s $275 Million Music Hall Plans - What We Know — The Columbus Symphony Orchestra plans to build a $275 million music hall on a city-owned 6.7-acre site near COSI, funded by private donations and state and federal funds, aiming for a 1,600-seat venue to fill a gap in venue sizes.| The Columbus Dispatch

Robert Spano Named Music Director of Washington National Opera — Robert Spano has been appointed as the Music Director of the Washington National Opera (WNO) for the 2025–2026 season, taking the role of music director designate immediately. | OperaWire

John Eliot Gardiner to Return to Podium in 2024 — John Eliot Gardiner is set to return to conducting later this year after a break for reflection following allegations of physical assault in August 2023. | Classical-music.uk

LEGENDS

Seiji Ozawa (Photo: Decca Classics Michiharu Okubu)

Conductor Seiji Ozawa Dies At 88

On February 6th, the Seiji Ozawa International Academy in Switzerland announced the death of its namesake, the legendary conductor Seiji Ozawa. Ozawa died of heart failure in Tokyo.

Catch-up: Born in Japanese-occupied China in 1935, Seiji Ozawa studied under Herbert Von Karajan in West Berlin after winning a competition at the Tanglewood Music Festival. In subsequent years, he caught the attention of Leonard Bernstein, who appointed Ozawa as his assistant at the New York Philharmonic.

Ozawa went on to become the music director of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (1965-1969), the Ravinia Festival (1964-1968), the San Francisco Symphony (1970-1976), the Boston Symphony Orchestra (1973-2002), and the Vienna State Opera (2002-2010).

Why it matters: Seiji Ozawa is remembered as one of the century’s most acclaimed conductors, who also helped to pave the way for Asian musicians in the world of classical music. Ozawa was aware of his impact on the perception of Asian musicians in his western-dominated field and considered himself a pioneer.

Those looking to catch-up on Ozawa’s impact can listen to any of his acclaimed recordings, catch his Sesame Street appearances, or even read his conversations with the famous Japanese novelist, Haruki Murakami. RIP, Maestro. — SS

OPERA

ROH. (Photo: Camilla Greenwell)

San Diego Opera First-Ever Wellness Program

Composer Oliver Leith’s opera “Last Days” based on a Gus Van Sant film premiered at the Los Angeles Philharmonic last week.

What’s up: Last week, the Los Angeles Philharmonic presented the US premiere of Oliver Leith’s opera “Last Days.” The opera is based on the synonymous film by Gus Van Sant with a libretto by the artist Matt Copson. It features the story of the last days of a protagonist named Blake’s life, loosely based on Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain, as he descends towards suicide.

Digging deeper: “Last Days” was conducted by the composer and conductor Thomas Adès and co-directed by Matt Copson and Anna Morrissey. In typical LA fashion, costumes were provided by Balenciaga. The opera also features a pre-recorded track of the art house pop star Caroline Polachek, for whom Copson has directed music videos, singing operatically in a way that Leith refuses to categorize as ironic.

Final word: While “Last Days” provides audiences with a look at the mundanity and beauty of the everyday, the audience at the LA Phil’s premiere was anything but mundane. Ludwig Van sources reportedly spotted the full Boygenius supergroup in attendance, as well as Polachek, Gus Van Sant, the film’s Kim Gordon, Beck, and other glitterati. Turns out the stars of LA go to the opera, too. — SS

QUIZ

Nothing says Monday like a mini-crossword.

AROUND THE WEB

📅 On this day: George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue premiers in 1924.

🎶 How to: Create the perfect playlist according to Spotify’s Laura Ohls.

👫 Interesting: Exploring the term "girl" online, such as in phrases like "girl dinner," "hot girl walks," and many, many, others.

🇼 Games: Unlimited Wordle — for those who just can't get enough.

🐕 Awww: This dog nails the Welsh national anthem.

LAUGH OF THE WEEK

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