New in VAN
Essay
In Defense of the Program Note
Thoughtful written concert programs are on the outs. But they remain essential guiding lights for listening.
New in VAN
Interview
Pre-Election Paralysis
Julien Chavaz, the artistic director the Theater Magdeburg, on what an AfD government would mean for his house
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Breaking
Bach Festival Leipzig Stands By John Eliot Gardiner
The conductor will return to the festival following an allegation of “boundary crossing misconduct”
Most read last week
Life After Monsieur
In memory of Hans Messner, who died this week after dedicating most of his life to Pierre Boulez
License to Earn
Regional orchestras see film music concerts as a way to generate money and expand their audience. But do these events benefit smaller ensembles, or big intellectual property holders instead?
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Music in illiberal times
Playing Along
Why are American classical music institutions so timid in the face of Trump’s authoritarian maneuvering?
Bartók and Janáček At the End of Liberal Society
Totalitarian thinking and its antidote in two works from the end of the Austro-Hungarian Empire
Silence, Ringing Loudly
Four members of the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra were injured when a car drove into them during a silent protest. How did Serbian society get to this point?
In Africa
The Rough Joy
The Orchestre Symphonique des Enfants de Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, in rehearsal and in concert
Rhapsody in the Dark
Untangling fact from fiction in the life of foundational Algerian composer Mohamed Iguerbouchène
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New in VAN
Tristan and Isolde and the Politicians
How political interference almost sunk the first São Paulo performance of Wagner’s opera in nearly 50 years
ELISION Dossier
If I say it’s an experiment, you might think me overeager to abdicate on certitude’s authority. So I won’t say that.
KPIs by Candlelight
Documents show how Candlelight Concert organizer Fever enforce global musical uniformity through strict performance analysis
Heavy Shadows
“Die Zauberflöte” and “Die Frau ohne Schatten” at the 2026 Aix-en-Provence Festival in review
From five years ago…
Fiddling While California Burns
A composer appeals for curators of international music events and touring orchestras to take action
From ten years ago…
Last But Not Least
