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Inauguration Fanfares
Many of us feel a need to begin celebrating the inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamela Harris sooner rather than later. As we are all too well aware, inaugural events will be virtual due to the pandemic as well as to security concerns following the insurrection at the US Capitol on January 6. That doesn’t…
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Reimagining opera during the pandemic
In the current issue of The New Yorker, music critic Alex Ross writes about the multiple ways orchestras have found to reimagine their 2020-2021 seasons (“What Does It Mean to ‘Reimagine’ an Orchestra Season?”; online Nov. 30; print issue Dec 7). Performances have ranged from outdoor chamber concerts, to streamed concerts of live music played…
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Learning and memory: the role of sleep, exercise, and nutrition
There was a recent article in my local newspaper about students, stress, and learning. Unfortunately, the article didn’t mention sleep, because sleep is a crucial factor both for alleviating stress and for the encoding and consolidation of memory. Exercise and good nutrition also play a role in learning and memory. So while we tend to…
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More music for a time of uncertainty
Classical music critic Michael Andor Brodeur wrote in The Washington Post this morning about why classical music is so important during this time of crisis, and why classical musicians are creating a new space for themselves in the virtual world. His article, In a time of uncertainty, classical music provides a sense of permanence, is a must-read. Brodeur’s…
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Music for our self-isolating times
A friend remarked yesterday that artists are really stepping up during this pandemic, aware that the arts bring people together during times of crisis. We’ve all seen the videos of Italians singing from their balconies in solidarity and in appreciation to health care workers. The web is full of playlists and suggestions for listening, and…