“I love the sound,” says John Adams of the cimbalom. “It’s like adding a certain kind of spice to a dish.” Learn more about the role of the cimbalom in Adams's "Antony & Cleopatra": newyorker.com/magazine/2025/…

Nikita Gill 🔥

A chance to catch up with the great Philip Glass at Geffen Hall and hear his 11th Symphony. (I conducted the world premiere of his 12th Symphony, "Lodger" with LA Phil several years ago.

Bass-baritone Gerald Finley is having quite the 2025: Finishing "Antony & Cleopatra" at Metropolitan Opera, a Wagner recording with LiseDavidsen on Decca Classics; Opening Night of the Proms & his first recital in LA at @BroadStage. We spoke to him about it all! culturalattache.co/2025/06/04/bas…

Interview with the great Gerald Finley He & Julia Bullock as Antony & Cleopatra absolutely own the stage. A privilege to witness this. They fight, scream & make love. Last show tonight Metropolitan Opera If I dare say so w/o being slammed: "not to be missed" sfcv.org/articles/artis…

Mark Strand 💙

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Sheesh... I get goosebumps just LOOKING at the page.🔥❤️

Alfred Brendel C’est une douleur sourde et profonde. Une époque qui s’efface… Toute une pensée, une manière rare d’habiter le monde. Je n’ose montrer les photos que nous avons partagées. Sa musique demeure, et son esprit et sa malice rayonnent — cela suffit. Il aimait le

I still remember falling in love with music because of Alfred Brendel’s Mozart Concertos. Your sound and soul have inspired me over the years and taught me how to listen, how to think, and how to find meaning between the notes. Thank you, Maestro. Rest in peace. 🖤

Paul McCartney is 83! What a thought - despite for the past 63 years having a life with which few of us could cope, he seems to have more energy today than most 40-year-olds. And through it all he has brought endless joy and comfort to millions (billions?). Thank you, Sir Paul!

One of my favorite poems... "The Solstice" by W.S. Merwin. merwinconservancy.org/poems/the-sols… #Solstice #poetry #WSMerwin

Staggering, haunting, powerful... it is near impossible to describe how mind-blowing this performance is. youtube.com/watch?v=d12sgK… #JiaxinMin #stunning #piano #Prokofiev #queenelisabethcompetition

Happy birthday to Esa-Pekka Salonen! "Music has just as much to do with movement and body as it does soul and intellect." "I'm still disturbed if a chord isn't together, but your priorities change as you get older." "I love a visceral sound, the kind that hits you in the belly."

When you long for music that is utterly sublime-- youtube.com/watch?v=3xHIhc…

Naomi Shihab Nye

90th Birthday Message On the occasion of my 90th birthday, I understand that well-wishers and friends in many places, including Tibetan communities, are gathering for celebrations. I particularly appreciate the fact that many of you are using the occasion to engage in

From our recent Art of Poetry interview with Fanny Howe:

Thank You Message Dear Brothers and Sisters, Thank you for your warm greetings on my 90th birthday. I very much appreciate your kind gesture. The 90th birthday is conventionally considered an important milestone in one’s life. I have dedicated myself to spreading the message

A very happy 98th (!!) to Herbert Blomstedt. He is a miracle - seems to have discovered the secret of eternal youth! And such a warm, refined, natural musician; and the same in personal terms - such a wonderful man. Thank you for the joy you bring, Maestro Blomstedt!