Canadian composer and writer R. Murray Schafer, whose work lent the concept of the “soundscape” wide public currency, died on Aug. 14 at his Ontario home. He was 88. Born in 1933 in the Lake Huron city of Sarnia, Ontario, Schafer … » Read

After a near half-century at the top of its game, the Emerson String Quartet is announcing today its plan to retire at the end of summer 2023. Formed at Juilliard in 1976, the group has gone on to become one of the top string quartets in the … » Read

Joshua Kosman, longtime music critic for the San Francisco Chronicle , has written a moving remembrance of the late Michael Morgan . Understandably, they came to know each other well over the years, not just as colleagues in a business, but as … » Read

An ocean traffic jam threatening to scuttle the Los Angeles Opera’s much-anticipated season opener of Il Trovatore is calling for desperate measures by company officials. The sets for the Verdi warhorse, on their way from the Opera de … » Read

In the summer of 1990, the 76-year-old John Cage admitted defeat, telling a German audience, “I no longer consider it necessary to find alternatives to harmony. After all these years I am finally writing beautiful music.” The … » Read

Bramwell Tovey is to be the next music director of the Sarasota (FL) Orchestra, officially starting in fall of 2022, serving as designate in the coming season. Tovey, 68, is perhaps best known as the longtime music director of Canada's Vancouver … » Read

BAYREUTH -- For Die Walküre , seen August 19, the vast Bayreuth stage has been turned into a giant, bright white triptych. Controversial Viennese artist Herman Nitsch, charged with creating the “artistic action” for this concert … » Read

Marc Stevens is to succeed Paul Dornian as president and CEO of the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra next month. Dornian is retiring after six years in the job. Stevens arrives after seven years at the National Arts Center (NAC) in Ottawa, where he … » Read

Proof of vaccination will be required in the fall to enter any of the Kimmel Center’s venues, including Verizon Hall, the Academy of Music, or the Merriam Theater; children under 12 must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test within 72 … » Read

Chamber Music America (CMA) has announced 81 grants totaling $1,290,450 spread over six programs. Awards will support the creation, performance, and presentation of small ensemble works, community engagement and audience-building initiatives, and … » Read