The Berlin Philharmonic has a new concertmaster in Polish-born Krzysztof Polonek [pictured], a member of the orchestra since 2009. He succeeds Andreas Buschatz , who left in 2017 to take the same position with the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra. … » Read

Anthony Roth Costanzo has written a first-hand account of his portrayal of Akhnaten in the English National Opera’s 2016 production, set for revival starting Feb. 21. It suggests, not surprisingly, that the title role Philip Glass’s … » Read

There was a time when the Chicago Symphony Orchestra musicians were the highest paid in the land. In recent years, they have become only the third highest paid, after Los Angeles and San Francisco, where base wages are expected to reach $3570 per … » Read

Sony Classical’s recent reissue of the “Black Composers Series” is a timely reminder of the late Chicago conductor Paul Freeman’s contributions to promoting classical music written by African Americans. First released by … » Read

Since modern cruise ships have come to resemble floating resorts in size and activity options, instability at sea is apparently no longer an issue. Perhaps that’s one reason the entertainment on Celebrity Cruises is soon to feature dancers … » Read

A life devoted to the arts may offer many rewards. Sadly, a large income is very rarely one of them. ArtsPay 2018, a U.K. survey of pay and earnings in the cultural sector, suggests that expectations of long unpaid hours that “wouldn't be … » Read

At first impression, Robert Ashley’s style of vocal writing seems tantamount to simplicity itself. Text typically unfolds on a single pitch, like the reciting tone of liturgical chant, in a continuous flow that seems undifferentiated by … » Read

For more than 45 years, San Francisco-based Kronos Quartet has been one of classical music’s agents provocateurs. Early forays into musical agitprop would have to include George Crumb’s anti-war polemic, Black Angels , and to a lesser … » Read

Portuguese pianist Maria João Pires will bring her world-travelled Partitura Project to the U.S. for the first time in 2020, as part of the 15 th biennial Gilmore Keyboard Festival, April 22 to May 10, in Kalamazoo, MI. Pires’s … » Read

Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, soon to reach its centennial season, is in the market for a new CEO as of February 12. Peter Gistelinck , in the job since March of 2014, is no longer in the corner office; the orchestra has declined to offer an … » Read