Classical music news: Beaux Arts Trio pianist Pressler honored, critic Alex Ross turns programmer; Detroit Symphony loses out

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By Jacob Stockinger

I postponed the usual Saturday posting of classical music  news clips until today because of the Winterfest concerts by the Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra.

I hope that’s OK.

First, I wanted to support the students.

And second, the news this week isn’t really earth-shaking or as dramatic as it has been many weeks.

See for yourself:

ITEM: Beaux Arts Trio pianist and co-founder Menachem Pressler (below) wins lifetime achievement award:

http://newsinfo.iu.edu/news/page/normal/17566.html

ITEM: Gilmore Prize-winning pianist Kirill Gerstein (below): Classical to jazz and back again?

http://www.npr.org/2011/02/28/134131138/kirill-gersteins-classical-and-jazz-conundrum

ITEM: Renowned New Yorker critic and new music champion Alex Ross (below) turns into a programmer for an Australian chamber orchestra:

http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/critic-turns-curator-just-dont-mention-the-cword-20110301-1bd3m.html

ITEM: Retired LA Philharmonic conductor and composer Esa-Pekka Salonen (below) withdraws his unfinished piano piece from Yefim Bronfman’s upcoming recital:

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2011/03/new-esa-pekka-salonen-piece-withdrawn-from-disney-hall-concert.html

ITEM: Is it too little too late for the Detroit Symphony Orchestra? Washington Post critic Anne  Midgette (below) looks at the situation:

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-classical-beat/2011/03/dso_too_little_too_late.html

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Posted in Classical music