A Professional Victim: On Ira B. Arnstein A Professional Victim: On Ira B. Arnstein
How music plagiarism ruined a composer’s career and literally drove him mad.
Apr 30, 2013 / Books & the Arts / Caleb Crain
The Bush Presidency, Undead The Bush Presidency, Undead
With the opening of George W's presidential library, pundits are rushing to whitewash the memory of those years of folly.
Apr 26, 2013 / Books & the Arts / Eric Alterman and Reed Richardson
Chrissy Amphlett’s Pleasure Anthem Chrissy Amphlett’s Pleasure Anthem
In 2013, a song like “I Touch Myself” is less shocking than it once was. But it is still revolutionary.
Apr 22, 2013 / Books & the Arts / Chloe Angyal
Give Me the Bad News First Give Me the Bad News First
Press coverage is hasty, error-prone and frequently depressing—but it nonetheless plays a vital role in our society.
Apr 18, 2013 / Books & the Arts / Eric Alterman and Reed Richardson
Man in the Middle: On Philip Glass Man in the Middle: On Philip Glass
Philip Glass’s new opera, The Perfect American, is a mix of bluster and inspiration.
Mar 27, 2013 / Books & the Arts / Jonathan Blitzer
The Russian Optimist: An Interview With Opposition Rocker Yuri Shevchuk The Russian Optimist: An Interview With Opposition Rocker Yuri Shevchuk
The well-known musician talks about the adoption ban, Pussy Riot and the future of the opposition movement.
Jan 27, 2013 / Books & the Arts / Katrina vanden Heuvel and Alec Luhn
Magna Carter Magna Carter
Every musical note has life in it. For six decades the composer Elliott Carter imagined that life precisely.
Jan 23, 2013 / Books & the Arts / David Schiff
Jail Guitar Doors Jail Guitar Doors
By providing free instruments, we use music to help rehabilitate prison inmates.
Jan 9, 2013 / Books & the Arts / Billy Bragg
Off-Key: On Paul Elie Off-Key: On Paul Elie
Can recordings of classical music ever be in concert with concert hall performances?
Dec 31, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Michael O’Donnell
Shaken and Stirred Shaken and Stirred
Some details in Skyfall are just too silly to accept.
Nov 29, 2012 / Books & the Arts / Eric Alterman