No images? Click here March 4, 2024 A 54-year-old man was taken into custody by Police after performing a nude piano performance at a seniors facility in Mission, BC. The whole thing with chairs being thrown at a police officer. A concert to remember for sure. +++ In this week’s email:
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 Why Is China’s Middle-Class Walking Away From the Piano?Once a symbol of Western affluence, the piano has found its way into the heart of China's cultural evolution. Owning a piano was as much a status symbol in China as having a luxury car in the driveway. Fast forward to today, China's middle-class families can’t get rid of their pianos fast enough. Closing the lidThe industry's decline is evident in the financial reports of leading piano manufacturers. Hailun Pianos revenue has decreased by 21.99% and its net profit has dropped by 24.7%. Similarly, Pearl River Piano Group has experienced a 31.47% fall in revenue and a dramatic 93.54% drop in net profit. These figures are a clear indication of the broader industry's struggles, with a significant collective decrease in both operating income and profits, as reported by the China Musical Instrument Association. The second-hand market for pianos has also been affected, with instruments that were once expensive now being sold for much less, underscoring the industry's challenges. What’s behind the decline?
economic pressures and changes in education policy. As the cost of living rises and the economy tightens, middle-class families are finding it harder to justify the expense of a luxury item like a piano, which also requires costly lessons and maintenance. Additionally, the Chinese government has de-emphasized the importance of piano skills in national exams, meaning that proficiency at the piano no longer offers the educational advantages or the potential for social mobility that it once did. With these shifts, the demand for pianos has fallen, leading to a surplus of instruments and a struggling industry. How do sales compare to the West?In recent years, piano sales in China outpaced those in the United States significantly. At its peak, the Chinese market saw annual sales of around 400,000 pianos, while during the same period, the United States averaged about 30,000 pianos sold per year. TOUR DE HEADLINES Sheku Kanneh-Mason (Courtesy photo) Cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason Takes up Role at Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra — The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (CSO) has named British cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason as its 2024 MAC Music Innovator. | The Strad (Paywall) Faculty of Cleveland Institute of Music Votes ‘No Confidence’ Against President and Provost — The Cleveland Institute of Music faculty issued a no-confidence vote against President Paul Hogle and Provost Scott Harrison, citing financial mismanagement, high staff turnover, and ignoring student complaints among their concerns.| Cleveland.com Plácido Domingo & Jose Carreras Postpone Australia Tour — Plácido Domingo and Jose Carreras have postponed their Australia tour to November 2024 due to unforeseen circumstances, with concerts in Adelaide and Perth cancelled. | Limelight
ORCHESTRAL MANEUVERS Verizon Hall, Kimmel Centre (Photo: Meyer Sound) Philadelphia Orchestra Renames Verizon Hall Marian Anderson HallThis week, the Philadelphia Orchestra announced a name change for their concert hall. Following a 25 million dollar gift, Verizon Hall will be renamed Marian Anderson Hall, honouring the renowned contralto. Digging deeper: Richard Worley, former chair of the Philadelphia Orchestra’s board, and his wife Leslie Miller made the legendary donation. The former financier and his wife expressed a wish to honour the trailblazing contralto who broke racial barriers and shared her formidable artistry despite civil rights adversity. CAREER MOVES Cleveland Orchestra (courtesy photo) Jaap van Zweden to Take Over at Radio France Following NYPhil PostThis summer, the conductor Jaap van Zweden’s term at the New York Philharmonic comes to an end. But he certainly won’t be retiring. The 63-year-old conductor just announced that he will take over as music director of the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France for five years, beginning in 2026. The backstory: The Dutch conductor Jaap van Zweden began his career as a violinist. At 19, he was concertmaster of the Concertgebouw orchestra before moving into conducting after Leonard Bernstein asked him to try his hand at conducting an orchestra in Berlin. He has been leading the New York Philharmonic since the 2018-2019 season as well as the Seoul Philharmonic and the Hong Kong Philharmonic. QUIZ Nothing says Monday like a mini-crossword. AROUND THE WEB 📅 On this day: Antonio Vivaldi (1678 - 1741) is born. 🧘♀️ Relax: Combine four basic elements and see what happens! 🗣️ Really? Climate is the biggest predictor of how loud a language is. ✨ Useful: This website allows you to help plan your stargazing activities whenever you live. LAUGH OF THE WEEK How did you like today's email? |