As medici.tv’s Chief Content Officer I spend a lot of time thinking about classical music—and a lot of time on the internet. Here’s my selection of the top five news items you need to see this week if you want to stay in the know.
View author's page
Reading time estimated : 3 min
A glamorous start to the Gustavo Dudamel era (NYT)
The season-opening gala of the New York Philharmonic on Wednesday was a star-studded affair as high-profile supporters of the orchestra turned out to celebrate the start of “a new era” under maestro Gustavo Dudamel. Stars from the classical music world including Pinchas Zukerman took to the red carpet alongside entertainment stars like Steven Spielberg, Bernadette Peters, and Alec Baldwin. The NYT Style section has a full photo gallery of the event.
What’s going on with the Kennedy Center’s Steinways? (Operawire)
After reports early last week that the Kennedy Center was getting rid of all of its Steinway pianos, the institution clarified that 16 leased Steinway pianos were indeed collected as lease terms had come to an end, but that the center still currently has 15 pianos on site, including several they own outright (notably both pianos onstage in the concert hall). So all part of normal operations.
Nashville Symphony’s season saved by Oracle (WZTV Nashville)
On September 29th, the Nashville Symphony announced that the remainder of the 2026/27 season would be suspended as they faced a $10 million operating budget shortfall (a problem many in the media are attributing to the death of a longtime generous donor earlier this year). Just days later, the orchestra received a lifeline from software giant Oracle, who signed a $10 million strategic partnership with the ensemble. This investment comes as Oracle are set to move into new headquarters on Nashville’s East Bank.
Michael Tilson Thomas collection goes to auction (LA Modern)
On Oct. 15th, Los Angeles Modern Auctions will offer a major collection belonging to the late conductor, composer and educator Michael Tilson Thomas in an auction titled “MTT: A Musician’s Life.” The collection reflects MTT’s wide-ranging interests and his deep engagement with music history, including a 1875 letter signed by Johannes Brahms accompanied by a lithograph depicting the composer conducting. It also includes furniture, decorative objects, and works of art collected around the world. A portion of the proceeds will support his legacy and charitable organizations he valued.
Steve Reich on good music (The Guardian)
As Steve Reich approaches his 90th birthday, the pioneering minimalist composer reflected in The Guardian on six decades of music-making and the influences that shaped his career. “Ultimately, Reich is clear about his measure for success. ‘Good music is good music, and most music is not,’ he says emphatically. And what makes good music good? ‘Can you play it next to Charlie Parker? Can you play it next to Johann Sebastian Bach? Does it still sound worthwhile? If it does—hey, you got something!’”
