The anti-Semitism in the cultural sector

The following text on anti-Semitism in the cultural sector was published under the title „Nach dem 7. Oktober 2023“ in the February 2024 issue of the Schweizer Musikzeitung (SMZ).

Political topics in a music magazine should be avoided, as they only cause controversy and distract from the music. This one is an exception – well justified, in my opinion, because it deals with an event that touches on the core of our cultural understanding: the Hamas pogrom of October 7, 2023, with over 1200 victims and our reactions to it.

„The anti-Semitism in the cultural sector“ weiterlesen

Musings about David

“Was the Kingdom of David and Solomon a glorious empire—or just a little cow town?”  The National Geographic Magazine posed this provocative question in its December 2010 issue, and immediately gave the answer: “It depends on which archaeologist you ask.” 

by Jürgen Thym

„Musings about David“ weiterlesen

Writing Responsibly for the General Reader

How to write for non-specialist readers? acques Offenbach, "La Périchole".How should a critic or scholar write for non-specialist readers? A lifelong music critic and musicologist reports here on challenges he has faced and comments on two encounters—fifty years apart, in 1971 and in 2020—that he has had with Offenbach’s operetta La Périchole.

by Ralph P. Locke

„Writing Responsibly for the General Reader“ weiterlesen

Interview with John Cage about Music and Politics

This interview with John Cage dates from 1970 and is about revolution, global welfare, the difference between American and European culture, and cultural changes in general. And about his music, of course.

Vorbemerkung / Introductory note (German)

John CageMr. Cage, in the last few years, you have mainly been performing with the Merce Cunningham Dance Company, Are you still giving concerts on your own?

Yes, I continue both. For instance, this year I gave concerts in Minneapolis, Pennsylvania, Florida. I have worked with Merce Cunningham since 1943, and I have given concerts of music since 1933, and I continue doing both. „Interview with John Cage about Music and Politics“ weiterlesen