Netherlands Orchestra Tops Charts With Protest Song

Metropole Orchestra Fights Possible Extinction

In a report filed by Norman Lebrecht, one of the Dutch orchestras threatened with extinction by 50% government cuts has rallied some of the country’s best-known pop singers to support its survival with a protest track. Amazingly, the song has just gone to number 1 in the singles charts.  Conductor Edo de Waart had this to say:

Many times in my life until now, I have gladly shown up to help the arts to stay afloat. Each time there had to be a reduction, each time an orchestra had to go or even two orchestras at a time, or be made smaller, or put on a lower budget. And I always wondered if this trend would ever stop. Of course the answer is 'no', that is clear. But what is happening now is an assault that I have not witnessed in the 50 years of my career. It is so unbelievably stupid and idiotic. Read Metropole Orchestra Scores With Protest Song (Metropoleorkest.nl) Watch the Metropole Orchestra Protest Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8Zc-sX3t9M

Millionaire's Will Sparks Orchestra Battle

The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra and the Israel Symphony Orchestra Rishon Lezion are in a pitched battle over millions left in the will of a New Jersey gemology expert.  One says he regularly attended their concerts...the other says he visited their city often and may have come to a performance.  Who will get the millions?  Attorneys. Read Millionaire's Will Sparks Orchestra Battle (ynetnews.com)

Recreating a Strad

Instrument makers have made many attempts to duplicate the Stradivarius sound in modern instruments.  One has now apparently been recreated using a blueprint made with a CAT scanner.  Some are applauding the progress, others are saying it's a waste of medical technology. What do you think?  Should we be using this technology to try and build a better violin? Read Antique Stradivarius Violin 'Replicated' By Radiologist (BBC News)