Schirmer Scores Now Online
Music publisher G. Schirmer, Inc., is putting 500 commonly used scores online where the public can view them. It expects to add the rest of its catalog over the next few years. The music now available includes orchestral works, operas, and choral music. These scores can also be printed out for study. Once the decision is made to perform a work, arrangements for rental or purchase must be made with Schirmer. One hundred of the scores available through Hal Leonard—the largest printed music distributor in the U.S., including Schirmer scores—are also online, but may not be printed.
Company Vice President Kristin Lancino says, “We concluded that by utilizing technology wisely we could catapult access to the scores of our composers to a whole new realm. What resulted is SchirmerOnDemand, and I believe that as it evolves, the breath of fresh air through those open doors will stimulate music publishing and, most importantly, the world of recent and new music.”
www.schirmer.com/Default.aspx?TabId=2422&State_2879=2&newsId_2879=1625
digital.schirmer.com/Library.htm
AGMA Refuses Concessions to NYC Opera
Alan Gordon of the American Guild of Musical Artists, the union representing singers and members of New York City
Opera’s production staff, has accused the opera’s management of trying to void contracts unilaterally in order to gain concessions, reports Playbill magazine.
When General Manager and Artistic Director George R. Steel announced the company’s severely shortened 2009-2010 season, he mentioned that some contracts were up for negotiation. That did not soften union leader Gordon’s opinion, who stated that although the orchestra contract is up for renewal shortly, the singers’ contract does not expire until 2011 and that there “is no legal way” for NYCO to open talks early. It is thought that the singers will follow the lead of the orchestra when it comes to concessions—or the lack thereof.
www.playbillarts.com/features/article/7956.html
Bernstein Heirs Donate Items from Studio to Indiana U.
The family of Leonard Bernstein donated some of the items from the late conductor-composer’s Connecticut studio to Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, reports the Associated Press. Items going to the school include a conducting stool from the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra that is thought to have been used by Johannes Brahms, Bernstein’s rocking chair, 39 Grammy nomination plaques, assorted batons, and a number of smaller items. Melissa Korzec, spokesperson for the school, says the collection also includes a piece of the Berlin Wall that Bernstein received when it came down.
www.nytimes.com/2009/03/09/arts/music/09bern.html
homepages.indiana.edu/web/page/normal/10367.html
ArkivMusic Launches Print Magazine
Listen: Life with Classical Music, which published its first issue in March, will be on newsstands every other month at a price of $4.50 per issue. Currently, a six-issue subscription costs $14.95. The magazine will profile musicians as well as recommend recordings, books, films, and music-oriented travel destinations. ArkivMusic President Eric Feidner insists that there is a sizable audience for classical music that is not currently served by available publications.
He has been running online companies since 1995 and is fully aware of the possibilities of the Internet, but he also believes that, particularly in the area of serious music, there is a market for the printed word. The premiere March/April issue celebrates Isabel Bayrakdarian, Danielle de Niese, Joyce DiDonato, Leon Fleischer, and Hélène Grimaud.
www.reuters.com/article/pressRelease/idUS151899+11-Mar-2009+BW20090311
www.listenmusicmag.com/listen.html
