No images? Click here October 21, 2024 Is the classical music world facing a talent drought, or are the standards just sky-high? Today, we dive into the violin talent pool (or lack thereof) and get into the nitty-gritty of what’s plaguing competitions. Plus, Universal Music Group just made a major power move, and we’ve got a guide for anyone dreaming of joining an orchestra. Whether you're curious about the next prodigy or looking for some lighthearted opera dog drama, we've got your backstage pass to the world of classical music. Now let’s see what’s playing! 🎶 +++ 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 Is There a Drought of Young Violin Talent?The classical music world might be experiencing a shortage of top-tier violin talent — at least, according to Norman Lebrecht. The outspoken critic recently reacted to a feature in The New York Times about 21-year-old Spanish violinist María Dueñas, which hailed her as emerging from a "field crowded with prodigies." Lebrecht quickly challenged this claim, asking, “Who are they?” The talent pool is shrinkingLebrecht argues that the violin world is actually facing a scarcity of young, world-class talent. He claims many significant competitions are rigged, focusing on short-term wins rather than developing long-term excellence. Violin professors often groom students for quick victories, but many fall short when it comes to sustaining a career at the highest level. In fact, Lebrecht points out that no U.S.-born violinist has joined the top ranks of soloists since Hilary Hahn, who’s now in her mid-40s. If there’s truly a “crowd of prodigies,” as The New York Times suggested, Lebrecht asks, where are they? Competitions feeling the impactThis concern was echoed by the recent decision at the Barbash J.S. Bach Competition, where, for the first time, no first prize was awarded. An American violinist, Isabelle Durrenberger took home second prize, but the jury made it clear that none of the finalists met the standard for first place. A jury member, Colin Carr, openly admitted that the decision was controversial but unanimous. A crisis of expectations?So, is the violin world facing a drought of young talent, or are standards higher than ever? TOUR DE HEADLINES (Painting by Mary LaGarde) New Pavarotti Painting to Be Revealed at Larimart Gallery & Opera Naples Event — Opera Naples and the Larimart Gallery will unveil a new portrait of Luciano Pavarotti by Mary LaGarde on October 19, 2024. The painting, inspired by Ron Howard's documentary and a meeting with Pavarotti's widow, will be auctioned at the Opera Naples gala on December 5, 2024. | Opera Wire Beloved Piano Teacher’s Death Sparks Call for Better Drug Monitoring in Hospitals — Wendy Guimont, a beloved piano teacher, died from kidney failure caused by a severe reaction to the antibiotic vancomycin, highlighting critical errors in medication monitoring at her hospital. Her daughter, Penny, a hospital pharmacist, is advocating for better drug monitoring to prevent similar incidents in the future. | CBC Berliner Philharmoniker Releases Homage to Seiji Ozawa — The Berliner Philharmoniker has released "The Seiji Ozawa Edition," a hardcover set honoring the late Japanese conductor Seiji Ozawa, featuring previously unreleased recordings from 1979-1996. Alongside CDs of Ozawa conducting works by composers such as Bartók, Beethoven, and Tchaikovsky, the edition includes a blu-ray of his
final concerts with the orchestra and personal reflections from his daughter Seira and writer Haruki Murakami. | Violin Channel MAKING NEWS Harmonia Mundi website Universal Music Group Goes Big on Harmonia MundiUniversal Music Group (UMG) has officially taken full control of Harmonia Mundi, the classical music label renowned for its top-tier recordings of historically informed performances. Co-founders of [PIAS], Harmonia MundI’s parent company, initially sold UMG a minority stake back in 2021 but have now decided to hand over the remaining shares. Despite the sale, [PIAS] CEO Kenny Gates will stay on, promising the company’s values and indie spirit remain intact. A bit of background: Founded in 1958, Harmonia Mundi has an impressive catalogue that spans centuries of music and a star-studded artist roster, including William Christie, Isabelle Faust, and Raphaël Pichon. This move is set to boost [PIAS]'s global distribution power while keeping its independent essence alive. Gates summed it up best: "I’m selling my shares, not my soul." Bottom line: The boutique classical music community just got a major partner with deep pockets to keep it afloat, and with [PIAS] promising no cultural shake-ups, it could be a win for both sides. GUIDE Members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic (Photo courtesy of the LA Philharmonic) So, You Want to Join an Orchestra? Here’s Your GuideIf you're prepping for an audition with an orchestra, you'd better come ready with five core elements of musicianship: rhythm, intonation, sound quality, articulation, and phrasing. The details: According to seasoned member of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Mick Wetzel, mastering these is essential, but it's not just about technical perfection. Dudamel emphasizes the "poetry" of performance — how musicians come together, listen to one another, and connect through shared musical ideas. Wetzel drops practical tips too: focus on your rhythm (don’t rush!), keep your sound beautiful, and phrase those notes with intent. Plus, don’t let a mistake rattle you—how you recover is key. Bonus points? Show artistry and personality in your playing. After all, you're auditioning to sit next to these folks for the next 30 years. No pressure, right? GAMES Nothing says Monday like a mini-crossword. LAUGH OF THE WEEK How did you like today's email? |