Strauss' Heirs told to Pay Up

A court has ordered heirs of German composer Richard Strauss to share royalties with the heirs of librettist and poet Hugo von Hoffmansthal for nine collaborations, including the popular operas Der Rosenkavalier and Elektra.

Seems fair to me. Link.

And even more on the pop music front

Seems Freddy Mecury's piano is sale. A lovely looking upright.

photo and details found here.

Anton Kuerti: Political commentary

Pianit Kuerti serves up some political commentary at the University of Western Ontario.

Link.

...delivering a wide-ranging speech on the uses and abuses of confidence, Kuerti talked of the ability to command the piano, the fearlessness of Mohawk steelworkers and the dangers of over- confidence in foreign affairs -- including the NATO mission in Afghanistan.

A Rare Print of Beethoven found?

Details here.

A little west of Moscow

You'll find the "International Russian Music Piano Competition", another spot on the competition circuit I had noticed before, tucked away in "Silicon Valley".

You can read all about it here.


General musing: Competitions. Not just for fun. It's a full-time job (sans pay) for some.

And on the popular music front

a very different video of rocker Tommy Lee has appeared on the net

MÖTLEY CRÜE drummer Tommy Lee playing the song "Brandon" on the piano in the lobby of his hotel in Brussels, Belgium following the band's performance at Ancienne Belgique on June 8, 2007 has been posted at YouTube.

Link

Dog Days of Summer

Still on Vacation. Blogging still continues to be light.

Get your bloggy-fix by visiting the WTB's "Blogs of Distinction" (RH column).

Double Shots of Walt Whitman

Blogilicious bookends

here and here.

Holy Cow! Now You Can Own a bit of Beethoven

Beethoven's hair, or at least some of it, is now for sale on ebay.

Link here.

Thanks to "Soho the Dog" for pointing the way.

Cliburn 2007: And the Winners Are !

Mad props and kudos to the winners of this year's "Van Cliburn 2007 Piano Competition for Outstanding Amateurs".

1st Prize: Dr. Drew Mays, Alabama, Ophthalmologist

2nd Prize: Mr. Mark Fuller, Arizona, Lawyer

3rd Prize: Mr. Clark Griffith, Texas, Composer/Retired Internet Technology Administrator

Audience Award: Dr. Drew Mays, Alabama, Ophthalmologist

Press Jury Award: Mr. Mark Fuller, Arizona, Lawyer

You can watch performances on the uber-hip YouTube here.

Good stuff all around!