Helene Grimaud’s wolves, Kennedy’s faux hawk, Lang Lang’s facial expression, etc, the image of classical music is progressively changing. Democratization or simple marketing tool?

This topic has already been discussed extensively: classical music is a thing of the past and is thus doomed to extinction. Don’t you see all those “white hairs” in concert halls? Thanks to a post in muse affiliée, I’ve recently discovered an article by conductor Leon Bolstein, music director of the American Symphony Orchestra and of the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra.

The Beaux Arts Trio, after a dazzling 53-year career, has retired this month. Menahem Pressler, 84 years old and last trio’s founding member didn’t wish to continue the adventure and form a new violonist. Indeed, Daniel Hope announced, because of his growing solo career, that he couldn’t ensure anymore the yearly 75-80 trio’s concerts.

Among fascinating pianists, Glenn Gould holds for me a special place. By his play and his personality, the Canadian pianist captivated me. I first heard him in his goldberg variations in the 1981 version. I say “his” because Gould has been able to make them his while respecting the text of Bach. Then, I progressively fell in love with his vision of things and music. Multi-faceted character, he made documentaries for radio, television, moderated programs, and of course recorded for CBS a huge repertoire.

Deeply shocked by the German composer’s death on Wednesday, I think there’s no need to revisit the extraordinary career of one of the most important personality of the music scene after World War II. To learn more about him, please go to www.stockhausen.org

A question raises in Prague: Is it necessary to build a large concert hall in Prague? The musicians want it, the directors of Prague spring too. But is this useful? Is this “reasonable” as say the politicians?