January 22, 2024

Fans are suing Madonna for late concert starts, citing the need to wake up early the next day. The lawsuit, initiated on Wednesday, seeks to represent attendees of late-starting Celebration tour shows across the US.

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In this week’s email:

The big idea: Rachmaninov’s last surviving student turns 99 years old
In Memoriam: Legendary composer and music satirist known as P.D.Q. Bach dies at 88
Industry: Pitchfork gets absorbed by GQ
Concert hall of the week
Around the web: A flip-the-switch game, the motherload of cookie recipes, and actor-age website, 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

Rachmaninov’s Last Surviving Student Turns 99 Years Old

At 99, Ruth Slenczynska embodies a living history of classical piano music. As the last surviving pupil of Sergei Rachmaninov, her fingers have not only danced over the keys under the watchful eye of the maestro himself but have continued to inspire and move audiences across the globe.

Born to Polish immigrants in California in 1925, Ruth Slenczynska was a child prodigy.

Slenczynska's journey began with an esteemed mentorship that set her on a path of musical discovery and excellence that few can claim to have walked.

Her connection with Rachmaninov extended beyond the piano. Anecdotes of their tea-drinking sessions and the Fabergé egg necklace she wears, a gift from the composer, add a personal touch to her storied career. She also enjoyed a unique relationship with American composer Samuel Barber, previewing his iconic "Adagio for Strings" before it was even titled.

With a growing career, Slenczynska quickly became a musical sensation, enchanting audiences with her profound skill and emotive performances.

In a twist that demonstrated her resilience, Slenczynska stepped away from her illustrious performing career, only to return with renewed vigour following a divorce. This comeback was not merely a return to form but a declaration of her unyielding passion for music.

During the pandemic, Slenczynska turned to YouTube, sharing performances of Beethoven sonatas, celebrating the composer's 250th anniversary, thereby connecting with a global audience in a new way.

Slenczynska's recent performances, like the one at the Chopin International Festival in New York, continue to captivate listeners.

Her album, "My Life in Music," delves into the works of Chopin, Debussy, Grieg, and Bach, paying homage to the influences of her mentors and her love for the piano. The album reflects a lifetime of experiences and her exceptional interpretation of these classical giants.

Ruth Slenczynska's life, as chronicled in her memoir "Forbidden Childhood," reveals a disciplined upbringing under her father Josef Slenczynski. Her mastery of Chopin's Études, practiced before breakfast each day, has crowned her one of the foremost interpreters of his works.

On Monday, 15 January 2024, Slenczynska turned 99-years-old. She is not just a celebrated pianist but an emblem of musical perseverance— MV

TOUR DE HEADLINES

New Orleans Opera, Lila Palmer. (Photo via Daniel Welch)

New Orleans Opera’s New General & Artistic Director Releases Apology Over the Use of ‘Anglo-American’ Term — Lila Palmer, the newly appointed General and Artistic Director of the New Orleans Opera, has issued an apology for the use of the term "Anglo-American" in her introduction. Recognizing the term's different connotations and its potential to evoke historical traumas in a majority-Black city like New Orleans, Palmer has expressed her commitment to learning from the community and fostering open conversation. | OperaWire

English National Opera Employees to Strike Over Cuts — Employees at the English National Opera, including chorus members, orchestra, and music staff, are set to strike on February 1st due to disputes over job cuts and part-time work proposals. This marks the first full strike by Musicians’ Union members in 44 years. | The Guardian

Igor Levit Becomes Youngest Recipient of the Wigmore Hall Medal — Igor Levit has received the Wigmore Hall Medal for his outstanding musical contributions and advocacy for equality. The Russian-born German pianist's commitment to the London venue and his challenge against discrimination and racism have been particularly commended. | Classical-music.com

Meet the Montrealer Who Tours Withmadonnaand Taught Her Daughters to Play Piano — Ric'key Pageot, a longtime pianist for Madonna, has been nurturing a special talent closer to home—teaching Madonna's daughter, Mercy James, who is now shining onstage during the 'Celebration Tour.' Amidst his tour duties, Pageot is also bringing attention to the rich legacy of Black composers in classical music with a special recital in his hometown of Montreal. | CTV News

Soloist Horrified as Orchestra Starts Playing Wrong Concerto in Piano Competition Nightmare — During the Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow, pianist Tianxu An faced a mix-up when the orchestra played the wrong piece due to an administrative error, but he demonstrated professionalism by continuing to play. | ClassicFM

IN MEMORIAM

Peter Schickele (Photo via schickele.com)

Legendary Composer and Music Satirist Known as P.D.Q. Bach Dies at 88

The composer Peter Schickele died on January 16th.

Driving the news: On January 16th, the legendary composer and humorist Peter Schickele, most well-known under his alias P.D.Q. Bach, died at 88. Schickele won four Grammy awards for Best Comedy Album. His more serious works have been played by organizations including the New York Philharmonic, the Cleveland Orchestra and the Lark Quartet, as well as in films, on Broadway, and by folk singers Joan Baez and Buffy St. Marie.

Catch up: For those too young to remember Schickele’s alter ego, P.D.Q. Bach, P.D.Q. Self-identified as the youngest (and oddest) of Johann Sebastian Bach’s many children. His works include parodies of pieces by Philip Glass, Mozart, Bach, and many others. Other claims to fame include inventing the “dill piccolo” as well as other little-known instruments. PDQ’s works have been performed by an array of groups, including the Boston Pops.

Digging deeper: Although Schickele was a renowned comedian, he was a frustrated composer. In 1988, he admitted to being jealous of the fame of his comedic alter-ego. In honour of his recent death, why not listen to both sides of Schickele.

— SS

INDUSTRY

Hilary Hahn (Photo: Chris Lee/Deutsche Grammophon)

Pitchfork Gets Absorbed by GQ

Condé Nast’s Chief Content Officer Anna Wintour announced that Pitchfork will become part of GQ Men’s Magazine.

What happened: On January 17th, Condé Nast’s Chief Content Officer Anna Wintour announced that Pitchfork music magazine’s employees will be laid off. The magazine will cease its current operations and become part of the men’s magazine GQ. Wintour cited the magazine’s performance evaluations as the reasons for the restructuring, as well as the need for their music coverage to “thrive with the company.”

Zoom out: Pitchfork’s restructuring reflects a larger pattern of layoffs in the music, tech and media industries. 2023 saw some of the largest numbers of job cuts in the media ever. For the classical music industry, the end of Pitchfork hits particularly hard. Musicians are still recovering from the folding of Opera News magazine in 2023. Pitchfork’s closure means there are currently no major music reviews sites live on the internet.

The end of an era: On X, musicians, fans and writers alike expressed their dismay over Pitchfork’s closure:

Classical music fans may want to read a few of Pitchfork’s reviews, features or think pieces before they’re lost forever. Another one bites the dust. — SS

QUIZ

Nothing says Monday like a mini-crossword.

AROUND THE WEB

📅 On this day: Composer Henri Dutilleux (1916 - 2013) is born.

🎞️ Neat: This website shows you how old actors were when they made a movie, how old they are now, and whether or not they're alive.

🍪 Helpful: This website contains only the best cookie recipes.

⏲️ Game: Can you flip the switch for exactly 5.5 seconds?

🐶 Awww: This otter yawn is otterly adorable.

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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

Royal Albert Hall (Photo: Wikipedia/ CC BY-SA 3.0)

Royal Albert Hall, London, United Kingdom

The Royal Albert Hall, a concert hall in South Kensington, London, is renowned for its iconic architecture and rich history. Inaugurated by Queen Victoria in 1871, this distinctive venue features a unique Italianate design, including an impressive glass and wrought-iron dome.

It's celebrated for hosting a diverse range of events, making it a central figure in London's cultural landscape. The venue is closely associated with the BBC Proms, a series of summer classical music concerts, further cements its status as a symbol of musical excellence.

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