Recording Academy fires ousted CEO, citing investigations

LOS ANGELES (AP) — The Recording Academy says it has fired Deborah Dugan, its former president who questioned the integrity of the Grammy Awards nominations process and complained of sexual harassment and a toxic culture. The academy said Monday the decision was reached after “two exhaustive, costly independent investigations” of Dugan. She had been on administrative leave since mid-January, when ...

Lake Forest Symphony Cancels Rest of Season Amid Lagging Fundraising

Citing fundraising shortages in the face of rising costs, the Lake Forest Symphony has announced the cancellation of the remainder of its 2019-20 season. This decision comes despite good concert turnout. According to the symphony, the announcement followed a weekend of sold-out concerts midway through the ensemble’s 62nd season. The early termination will bring the cancellation of three programs, including ...

Nico Muhly scores with second commission from Met

NEW YORK (AP) — Ten years ago at age 27, Nico Muhly became the youngest composer ever to have a piece commissioned by the Metropolitan Opera. “It was completely terrifying,” Muhly said of the offer from Met general manager Peter Gelb to write “Two Boys” for America’s leading opera house. As with any commission he gets, he said, “It’s not ...

In His Return, Daniel Barenboim Reflects on What Chicago Has Meant to His Career

“In 1970, I was many things, but not an experienced conductor,” admitted Daniel Barenboim, acknowledging that being selected to conduct the CSO at that time was therefore "an event of shattering importance."

Aretha Franklin doc ‘Amazing Grace’ to finally see the light

Sydney Pollack shot most of the footage that documented Franklin's performance at a Los Angeles Baptist church in January 1972.