In Simple Black and White
Some things have led us to consider what we want — exactly, more or less, I suppose — from music. Feel free to substitute "the band," or "art," or even "life," for music. That is:
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The Download Waltz
I had a nice chat recently with Mark Berry, publicist for classical music’s Naxos label. Naxos, for those unfamiliar, is a label with one hell of a back story.
Industry Update
<B>Hansen Audio:</B> Canadian loudspeaker manufacturer Hansen Audio, best known for "high-end luxury lifestyle speakers," has named Wes Bender senior director of US sales and marketing.
The Next Big Thing?
When I <A HREF="http://stereophile.com/news/051506nht/">visited</A> NHT's manufacturing facility in early May, I was struck by a comment managing director Chris Byrne made when describing NHT's <A HREF="http://stereophile.com/standloudspeakers/1105nht/">Xd loudspeaker</A>, which employs sophisticated digital signal processing (DSP) for its crossovers and equalization functions. "You do realize that we could have never incorporated such complex slopes in a physical crossover," Byrne proselytized.
Telarc Scores Big
Classical music in general, and audiophile label Telarc in particular, scored big in this year's annual Outmusic Awards. Pulitzer Prize-winning composer David Del Tredici, whose music has recently found an ardent champion in conductor Robert Spano, won Outstanding New Recording: Instrumental for the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra's Telarc recording of <I>Paul Revere's Ride</I>. Telarc veteran and Grammy Award-winning producer Thomas C. Moore, who assisted in the recording, received the Outstanding Producer award. In addition, soprano Melissa Fogarty received Outstanding New Recording: Debut Female for <I>Handel: Scorned & Betrayed</I> (Albany Records).
She Comes In Colors Everywhere
<I>Locust St.</I> finds the hidden links between color and music, Newton and Aristotle, and the Rolling Stones and Dolly Parton.
Intergalactic Self-Defense Mechanisms
That's ray guns to you and me—and Lockwasher has assembled a beautiful bevy of 'em. I love the spray-gun/toilet float-ball jobbie and just may be inspired to create a few of my own—depending, as Lockwasher says, on what kind of stuff I find.
Britten's Children
Here's a fascinating review of John Bridcut's <I>Britten's Children</I>, a book that traces Benjamin Britten's fascination with a succession of young boys and that obsession's role in the creation of so much of his glorious music.
Can Do!
How to make your own headphones. They may not be an audio upgrade from the ubiquitous three-buck upchuck earbuds available from your friendly flight attendant, but I love this guy's roll-your-own attitude.
Does your system sound the same all the time, or does it sound better at some times than others?
Reader Mike Agee says that at one time his system exhibited a "moodiness" where the sound would vary from day to day. Does your system sound the same all the time, or does it sound better at some times than others?