Exhibition: Maurice de Vlaminck

The Musée du Luxembourg is presenting "Maurice de Vlaminck - A Fauvist Instinct. " Vlaminck disliked Picasso and considered his work incomprehensible, but was fascinated by Van Gogh and Cézanne. Paintings he made from 1900-1915 are on display in Paris until July 20th.

http://www.museeduluxembourg.fr/

Classical:new releases

Messiaen: Catalogue d’oiseaux
Peter Hill (piano)
Regis

Mahler: Symphony No 10
BBC Philharmonic, cond Gianandrea Noseda
Chandos

Amor profano: Vivaldi Arias
Simone Kermes (soprano), Venice Baroque Orchestra, cond Andrea Marcon
Archiv Production

Weir: The Welcome Arrival of Rain; Natural History; Moon and Star; Forest; Heroic Strokes of the Bow
Ailish Tynan (soprano), BBC Singers, BBC Symphony Orchestra, cond Martyn Brabbins
NMC

Monteverdi: Fire and Ashes
I Fagiolini
Chandos

Exhibition: Deutsche Börse Photography Prize

Photos by four photographers nominated for the Deutsche Börse Photography Prize are on display at the Photographer's Gallery in London until April 6th. The nominees are Esko Männikkö, John Davies, Fazal Sheikh and Jacob Holdt and their photos ranged from close-up shots of animals, young girls in India, Britian's post-industrial landscapes to ordinary american lives in the 70's.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2008/02/19/baphoto119.xml

Exhibition: The Beatles

The exhibition,"A Day in the Life," is showing at the Square One Gallery in London. Photos by photographer Michael Ward of The Beatles in 1963 are on display until March 4th.

http://www.square1gallery.co.uk/index.html

Ballet: Nina Ananiashvili

The Georgian prima ballerina, Nina Ananiashvili, is performimg two Ratmansky pieces, "Bizet Variations'' and "Dreams About Japan,'' at the Brooklyn Academy of Music until March 2nd. She began her training at the Georgia State Choreographic Institute in 1969 and studied with Natalia Zolotova at the Moscow Choreographic Institute. Ananiashvili became the prima ballerina for the Bolshoi Ballet company and is now touring with the State Ballet of Georgia.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601088&sid=al9F.XHf2ysI&refer=muse

Concert: András Schiff

Hungarian-born pianist András Schiff will play Beethoven Sonatas at the Carnegie Hall in New York from April 16 to April 18.
Schiff began playing the piano at the age of five with Elisabeth Vadasz and studied at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, and later in London with George Malcolm. He formed his own chamber orchestra, the Cappella Andrea Barca, in 1999 and has been a conductor with many major orchestras since then.

New release: Punch Brothers

The band, Punch Brothers, came out with their new album "Punch" Februray 26th on Nonesuch Records. The group's music is a mix of bluegrass, folk and traditional music. Their songs can be heard on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/punchbrothers

Ballet: Balanchine

The New York City Ballet company, founded by George Balanchine in 1948, will be performing from March 12 to March 22 at the London Coliseum. The ballets, Serenade, Agon and Symphony in C, danced to music composed by Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky and Bizet are three of the performances on the list for this Spring. The New York City Ballet is considered one of the most distinctive creations of the 20th century.

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/stage/dance/article3417740.ece

Exhibition: "Jazz in London"

The National Portrait Gallery is showing a selection of photographs by Glaswegian photographer Walter Hanlon. Atmospheric portraits of the jazz scene in London in the 1950s and portraits of popular UK and US musicians including Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald and Cab Calloway are exhibited until July 20th in London. The photos on display will be published in Walter Hanlon's book called "1950s Jazz in London and Paris" this month with Tempus Publishing Ltd.

http://www.npg.org.uk/live/wojazzlondon.asp

Diana Vishneva: tiptoeing her way to the top

Russain-born Diana Vishneva is branching out in her art. Having the role of prima ballerina for the Russian Kirov Ballet and the American Ballet Theatre is quite a triumph in itself. The 31-year-old ballet dancer had a performance, "Beauty in Motion," last week at the Manhattan's City Center in New York.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/23/arts/dance/23beau.html

Joanna Newsom: a harpist that amazes

The young harpist, Joanna Newsom, has been creating music from a young age. She was raised along the borders of California and Nevada and studied West African, Venezuelan and Celtic harp. Although she calls herself, " a music school dropout," she is well received by the public. Her music is experimental and folksy and she'll remind you of Bjork. Her music can be heard on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/joannanewsom1

Concert: The National

The rock group,"The National," will hold two concerts on February 22nd and 23rd at the Brooklyn Academy of Music at 8 p.m. The music is hip and fits with the indie rock scene of the moment, but what catches you is the voice of the lead vocalist, which at times, makes you think of Johnny Cash. It's rock music with a touch of country air. Their last album titled "Boxer" came out May 2007 on Beggars Banquet. Check out their songs on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/thenational

Exhibition: "Duchamp, Man Ray, Picabia"

Great works by trendsetters and avant-gardists Duchamp, Man Ray and Picabia can be seen from today, February 21st to May 26th. The exhibition is shown at the Tate Modern in London.

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art-and-architecture/features/the-loo-that-shook-the-world-duchamp-man-ray-picabi-784384.html

The shackeltons

The shackeltons are five young guys from Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. The group is named after Earnest Shackleton, an Anglo-Irish explorer who attempted to cross Antarctica on foot in the early 1900s. The band is said to be influenced by various artists such as the Pixies, Joy Division and soul legend Otis Redding. If you are a fan of plain rock music, you may take a liking to this young band and their presence on stage may leave you feeling energized. They will hold a concert at the Canal Room in New York City the 21st of March. Check out their music on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/theshackeltons

http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/breaking/2008/01/breaking-artist-the-shackelton.php

Exhibition: Yayoi Kusama

Artwork by renown Japanese Yayoi Kusama is showing at the Victoria Miro Gallery in London until March 20. She is known for her repeated forms of dots, nets and phallic protrusions which originated from childhood hallucinations.

http://www.victoria-miro.com/nowshowing/

Theatre: "Hop là, nous vivons !"

"Hop la, nous vivons," a piece by Ernst Toller, is playing at the Théâtre de la Ville-Les Abbesses until the 23rd of February at 8:30 p.m.

http://www.webthea.com/actualites/?Hop-la-nous-vivons-d-Ernst-Toller,1392

Opera: Thésée

The tragedy "Thésée" will be playing at the Theatre des Champs-Elysees from the 20th to the 29th of February. The opera, written by Jean-Baptiste Lully, is based on a love triangle taken from Greek mythology and was shown for the first time in 1675 in Saint-Germain-en-Laye in front of Louis XIV. With the talent of Jean-Louis Martinoty and Emmanuelle Haim's musical insight, the opera is said to be a hit.

http://www.webthea.com/actualites/?Thesee-de-Jean-Baptiste-Lully,1413

Dance: "Café Müller/ The Rite of Spring"

Influential choreographer Pina Bausch and her company Tanztheater Wuppertal will perform two seminal works drawn from the early stages of Bausch's extensive repertoire. "Café Müller," created in 1978, is a personal piece, inspired by childhood memories observing relationships in her father’s café. The dance is accompanied with haunting Purcell music. Bausch’s acclaimed 1975 work "Le Sacre du Printemps," or "The Rite of Spring" is an adaptation of Stravinsky's masterpiece in which the dancers perform on a stage covered with peat, dancing to near exhaustion. The performance is showing at Sadler's Wells Theatre in Islington, London until February 22.

http://www.sadlerswells.com/show/Pina-Bausch.htm

Exhibition: A.R. Penck

Paintings by Dresden-born A. R. Penck will be shown at the Julius Werner Gallery in Berlin from February 23 to March 27. The exhibition titled "The Eighties" consists of paintings with neo-primitivist images of human figures and totemic forms. He is among many of the neo-expressionists who were watched over by the secret police during the Communist regime in former East Germany. He is a lover of jazz, plays the drum and was a member of the group "Triple Trip Touch." His sculptures, which are less known than his paintings, should be seen as well; they possessed similar primitive theme.

Concert: The Big Sleep

Brooklyn's rock trio "The Big Sleep" are releasing their new album "Sleep Forever" on February 19. The group will play at New York City's Mercury Lounge on February 21. They are young and hyped and are creating sensation in New York's music scene. Their music can be heard on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/sonofthetiger

A farewell to Henri Salvador

Legendary Henri Salvador died in Paris yesterday, the 13th of February at the age of 90. He is known for his warm personality and inspiring the bossa nova movement in Brazil. Born to a Spanish father and a Caribbean mother in Cayenne, French Guyana in 1917, Salvador spent most of his life in Paris. His love for music started at a young age listening to Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/obituaries/article3364555.ece

Latest news

Rocker David Bowie lends Scarlett Johansson a hand by singing two Tom Waits songs, "Falling Down" and "Fannin' Street," for her debut album, "Anyway I Lay My Head." The actress is said to have met David Bowie in a party. The album will be released May 20.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7243613.stm

Theatre: Hemingway's "The Fifth Column"

A play written by Ernest Hemingway in 1937 is being adapted by Director Jonathan Bank for the Mint Theater Company in New York City. "The Fifth Column" will start showing the 26th of February. The story is about a fictional character named Philip Rawlings, a counter-espionage agent working for the newspaper, The Republic, during the Spanish Civil War.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/10/theater/10mcgr.html

A book fit for February

The new book by American author Jeffrey Eugenides, "My Mistress's Sparrow is Dead," composed of 26 bitter love tales from writers such as Anton Chekhov, William Trevo, Milan Kundera and Alice Munro, will come out on HarperCollins February 19. The talented writer had already won a Pulitzer Prize for his second novel "Middlesex." The book is filled with accounts of adultery, abortion, suicide and sudden death.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?xml=/arts/2008/02/11/boeug111.xml

News

UNESCO launched the "International Year of Planet Earth" today, February 12th, dedicating two days to worldly social and environmental concerns. The event will bring together top scientists, representatives of leading industries, politicians and students to debat three topics concerning the planet: population growth and climate change, earth resources and geo hazards.

http://www.developpementdurablelejournal.fr/spip.php?article2019

Classical: new releases

Bartók: String Quartets Nos 1-6
Belcea Quartet
EMI

Hindemith: Symphonic Metamorphosis of Themes by Carl Maria von Weber
San Francisco Symphony, cond Herbert Blomstedt
Decca

Dvorak: Piano Trios in B flat Op 21 and G minor Op 26
Suk: Elegy
Florestan Trio
Hyperion

Debussy: La Mer; Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune
Britten: Four Sea Interludes
Mercure: Kaléidoscope
Orchestre Métropolitan du Grand Montréal, cond Yannick Nézet-Séguin
Atma

Nielsen: Flute Concerto; Clarinet Concerto; Wind Quintet
Emmanuel Pahud (flute), Sabine Meyer (clarinet), Berlin Philharmonic, cond Sir Simon Rattle
EMI

Opera: "Salome"

The one-act opera, "Salome" by the late German composer Richard Strauss will be showing from the 21st of Februry to the 12th of March at the Royal Opera House in London. The opera is about the bewitching Salome who demanded the head of Jokanaan (John the Baptist) on a silver charger after her sensuous "Dance of the Seven Veils" which seduced her stepfather Herod. The story, based on a German translation of Oscar Wilde's French play contains nudity and violence. Under the direction of David McVicar and Nadja Michael as Salome, the opera is sung in German with English surtitles and lasts 1 hour and 40 minutes without an interval.

http://esales.roh.org.uk/tickets/production.aspx?pid=2235

Theatre: "Penthesilea"

The tradegy, "Penthesilea," written by German playwright Heinrich von Kleist is playing at the Comédie-Française on an alternating schedule in Paris until June. Directed by Jean Liermier, the story is set in ancient Greece at the gates of Troy and recount the fatal encounter between the mythological Amazonian queen, Penthesilea and Achilles and the battles between their two worlds.

http://www.webthea.com/actualites/?Penthesilee-de-Heinrich-von-Kleist,1386

Exhibition: something for you animal lovers

96 Gillespie Gallery in London is holding an exhibition titled "Mythical, Domestic, Working and Loved: Animals In Contemporary Art." The collection includes print, photography, painting, drawing and sculpture of animals that are depicted in the political, spiritual and social aspects of human existence. The exhibition is on until February 17.


http://www.thewire.co.uk/articles/533/

Beach House: atmospheric dream pop

The girl/boy duo from Baltimore will release their second album, "Devotion" Febraury 26 on Carpark Records. Victoria Legrand is French, the niece of film composer Michel Legrand who worked with French Director Jean-Luc Godard on several films. The other half of the band is Alex Scully who plays the keyboard. Rolling Stone magazine describes their music as, "a pastoral mix of Mazzy Star, Yo La Tango and Phil Spector-bred girl groups." In all, it is dreamy and calming. Their music can be heard on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/beachhousemusic

http://www.rollingstone.com/blogs/breaking/

In the news

South Africa has lifted the ban on the slaughter of elephants. Its growing number is said to harm their surroundings and inhabitants. The lift is controversial and defenders of wildlife organizations have suggested other means of reducing the elephant population- displacement or contraception- rather than slaughter. Zimbabwe has said they encountered the same dilemma, but no action has been taken to resolve the issue yet.

http://www.lemonde.fr/afrique/article/2008/02/25/l-afrique-du-sud-leve-le-moratoire-sur-l-abattage-des-elephants_1015656_3212.html

Latest news

The Rolling Stones kicked off the Berlin International Film Festival on Thursday, February 7, with the world premiere of "Shine a Light", a two-hour concert documentary of the rock group by Director Martin Scorsese. The film was shot at New York's Beacon Theater in 2006.

Neil Young presented his new film, "CSNY: Déjà Vu," at the 58th Berlinale on Friday. The documentary is about the 2006 "Freedom of Speech" reunion tour of the band Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. On a different note, Neil Young will hold a concert at Le Grand Rex in Paris on February 14 and 15. He will continue his tour in Frankfurt and Berlin, Germany and then across the English Channel to the United Kingdom.

Martin Scorsese also announced that he will make a documentary on the life of the late raggae legend Bob Marley, scheduled for release in 2010.

This year's Berlinale also brought punk rock pioneer Patti Smith to the limelight. "Dream of Life" is a film portrait shot by Steven Sebring in the length of 12 years about Smith's personal crisis- the death of her husband and brother and friend, Robert Mapplethorpe- and her opposition to the war in Iraq and her eventual comeback in the music scene.

Theatre: "The Lover/The Collection"

Harold Pinter's plays, "The Lover/The Collection" is playing at the Comedy Theatre in London until May 3. The plays deal with the intricate and complicate relationship in a couple and simply between a man and a woman.

http://www.spectator.co.uk/the-magazine/arts/489391/part_2/grief-and-groans.thtml

Kassette: out of the Swiss valleys

"Chambre 4" was Kassette's last album which came out on Saiko Records October 2007. The group is from Fribourg, Switzerland with a lead singer named Gloria. Their music is a mix between rock, punk and alternative. http://www.myspace.com/kassettemusic

Theatre: "The Pelican"

"The Pelican" by Swedish writer August Strindberg is playing at the Théâtre des Gémeaux in Sceaux (about 10 km from the center of Paris) until February 24.

http://www.webthea.com/actualites/?Le-Pelican-d-August-Strindberg,1384

Think green, clean and organic

With the growing economy and increasing population around the world, the natural environment is being polluted. Toxic chemicals are poisoning the air and water supply and thus affecting the well-being of human and animal lives on earth. Recycling, using natural or biodegradable energy, producing more organic food and managing waste in a more effective way could be ways to slow down the process of pollution.

http://www.developpementdurablelejournal.fr/

Vampire Weekend: a band that bites

The new album, "S/T," by New York band Vampire Weekend came out on XL Recordings late January. The group is made up of four 23-year-old Columbia University graduates (Rostam Batmanglij, Ezra Koenig, Christopher Tomson and Chris Baio) who are based in Brooklyn. Their music is a mix of punk, classic and new wave with an influence of African music. http://www.myspace.com/vampireweekend

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/music/article3200307.ece

Silks from the land of Angkor

In a small Cambodian village north of Siem Reap, Japanese-born Kikuo Morimoto is reviving the traditional technique of making Khmer silks the old-fashioned way. The process starts from growing mulberry trees for silkworms, dying threads with colour-enriched tree barks or dyes made from insects to weaving fabrics on ancient wooden instruments. L'Espace Asia on rue Dante in Paris is exhibiting the Khmer silks until mid-March.

http://iktt.esprit-libre.org/en/

http://tourmag.com/Nouvel-Espace-Asia-a-Paris_a24174.html?start_liste=10&paa=2

Jasper Johns in New York

"Jasper Johns: Gray" is showing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City until May 4. Over 100 paintings, reliefs, drawings, prints and sculptures are on display.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/03/arts/design/03voge.html?n=Top/Reference/Times%20Topics/Subjects/A/Art

Classical: new releases

Mozart: Piano Concertos in G, K453 and D minor, K466
Leif Ove Andsnes (piano), Norwegian Chamber Orchestra
EMI

Sibelius: Violin Concerto
Viktoria Mullova (violin), Boston Symphony Orchestra, cond Seiji Ozawa
Philips

Respighi: The Fountains of Rome; The Pines of Rome; Roman Festivals; Il tramonto
Christine Rice (mezzo-soprano), Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, cond Antonio Pappano
EMI

Romanzo di Central Park: Songs by Charles Ives
Gerald Finley (baritone), Julius Drake (piano)
Hyperion

Clementi: Complete Piano Sonatas Vol 1
Howard Shelley (piano)
Hyperion

Beethoven: Violin Concerto; Violin Sonata Op 47, 'Kreutzer'
Vadim Repin (violin), Martha Argerich (piano), Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, cond Riccardo Muti
DG

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&grid=&xml=/arts/2008/02/02/bmclascds102.xml

Revolver: dancing to "chamber pop"

Ambroise, Christophe and Jeremie are three young guys from Paris who started singing together since September 2006. They will have shows at Le 24 bis on February 24 and at the OPA with the Franco-Danish duo "Twice" on March 11. Check out their music on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/popdechambre

Exhibition: Niki de Saint Phalle

The Tate Liverpool is presenting an exhibition of the Franco-American artist and sculptor Niki de Saint Phalle. Artworks by the fashion model turned artist are categorized as disputable, but art admirers should see her work not only for aesthetic reasons, but for her bohemian lifestyle and ideas. She was part of the 1960's avant-garde scene of the Nouveaux Realistes such as Yves Klein and Christo. The show is on until May 5th in Liverpool.

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/visual_arts/article3272320.ece

British band "Athlete"

"Athlete" is a British rock band from Deptford, a district situated southeast of London. Their music sounds a bit like "Oasis," but a softer version of the group. The band came out with a new album titled "Beyond the Neighbourhood," autumn 2007. Check them out on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/athlete

New release: Jack Johnson

Hawaiian surfer turned singer-songwriter Jack Johnson came out with his new album, "Sleep Through the Static," today on Brushfire Records. Fans of easy and carefree mellow music will enjoy this 14-track album while cruising on the autoroute along the coast or lounging around at nonchalant beaches. His simple melodies can be found on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/jackjohnsonmusic

http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/02/04/arts/jack.php

Exhibition: through the eyes of a Russian

"Alexander Rodchenko: Revolution in Photography," photos by avant-gardist Russian Alexander Rodchenko will be showing at the Hayward Gallery in London from 7 February to 27 April.

www.southbankcentre.co.uk

Jazzman Laurent de Wilde

American-born Laurent de Wilde gained his musical education in Brooklyn, New York. A pianist and a specialist of Jazz, de Wilde tried to export jazz into electronic music. He has worked with musicians such as Ralph Moore, Greg Osby and Reggie Workman. His latest album is called "Pieces: Laurent de Wilde Otisto 23," which is a mix of piano music and computer-generated tunes. His music can be heard on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/laurentdewilde

Inventive Sergio Giral

Cuban Sergio Giral is an innovative painter, photographer and filmmaker. A resident of Paris since 1987, he is said to be influenced by the works of avant-gardists Marcel Duchamp, Dubuffet, Tombly and Dadaists Bacon and Basquiat. His paintings have been shown in various museums and galleries in Cuba and Paris. Some of his artwork can be seen on myspace: http://www.myspace.com/sergiogiral

Exhibition: "Politik, Pop und Afri-Cola"

The old mining town of Essen in the Ruhrgebiet in Germany is holding an exhibition at the Folkwang Museum called Politik, Pop und Afri-Cola. Posters made in 1968 that dealt with politics and cultural events are on display until March 16. The majority of the posters are made in Germany ranging from advertisements of a porn movie by Russ Meyer, concert of the Velvet Underground and Nico, the drink Afri-Cola to icon Che Guevara.

http://www.museum-folkwang.de/index.php?id=5754&L=1

Battles: a new sound from New York

New Yorker Battles's latest album,"Mirrored," is providing fans with new sounds that's hyped and innovative. They are a group to look out for. The group's next gig is in Perth on February 3.

http://austinist.com/2007/05/22/new_release_tuesday_battles_mirrored.php

British singer Joe Brown on tour

British pop star Joe Brown's new album, "The Very Best of Joe Brown," will be out on February 18. His 50th-anniversary tour is on now until May 10.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml;jsessionid=WCROSX0CK0K15QFIQMGSFFOAVCBQWIV0?xml=/arts/2008/01/31/bmbrown131.xml

Scarlett Johansson takes a shot at singing

Scarlett Johansson, star of the newly released movie "The other Boleyn girl," co-starring Natalie Portman, will come out with her first music album tilted "Anywhere I Lay My Head" in May. The album is produced by respected New York record producer David Sitek and features ten Tom Waits covers and one original song.

http://www.newstatesman.com/200801310017

A comeback for k.d. lang

Canadian singer k.d. lang released her new album, "Watershed", on Nonsuch Records January 28. She is best known for her 1992 hit single “Constant Craving.”

http://www.newstatesman.com/200801240034

Classical: new releases

Debussy: Arabesques; Children's Corner; Images; Clair de Lune; L'Isle joyeuse
Simon Trpceski (piano)
EMI

Bach: Cello Suites
Jean-Guihen Queyras (cello)
Harmonia Mundi

Lennox Berkeley: String Quartets Nos 1-3
Maggini Quartet
Naxos

Tasmin Little: The Naked Violin

Tippett: Piano Concerto; Fantasia on a Theme of Handel; Piano Sonatas Nos 1-4
Steven Osborne (piano), BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, cond Martyn Brabbins
Hyperion

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml?view=DETAILS&grid=&xml=/arts/2008/01/26/bmclasscds126.xml

Exhibition: Zhang Xiaogang

Chinese surrealist artist, Zhang Xiaogang, will be displaying his paintings at the new Saatchi Gallery in Chelsea, London, opening in Spring 2008. He is said to be inspired by family photos from the Chinese Cultural Revolution period and often paint in black and white in photographic poses and combining the aesthetic of traditional Chinese charcoal drawing.

http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/visual_arts/article3233277.ece

Theatre: Sacred Oedipus

"Oedipus Loves You," a remake of the sacred classic is playing at the Riverside Studios in London from February 8 to 24.

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/theatre/features/preview-oedipus-loves-you-riverside-studios-london-775545.html