Louder: Black Artists on How to Change Classical Music

July 17, 2020

By Caryn Ganz

Pop Music Editor

Hello! I am passing the mic to our classical music editor, Zachary Woolfe:

Every corner of America struggles with racial inequity. But since their major institutions were founded on white European models and their focus is obstinately on the distant past, classical music and opera have been even slower than society at large to deal with it. Black players make up less than 2 percent of the nation’s orchestras; the Metropolitan Opera still has yet to put on a work by a Black composer.

This situation has long been a stain on the field, and, like so much systemic inequality, it’s been getting overdue notice since the end of May. We on the classical team at The Times wanted to sketch out some sense of concrete actions that can be taken in response. We spoke to nine Black performers about steps toward transforming a white-dominated field. Our chief critic, Tony Tommasini, wrote that orchestras should end “blind” auditions as part of a concerted effort to foster diversity, moving to something like an elite college admissions model. And another of our writers, Josh Barone, wrote about racism in opera, particularly behind the scenes.

(And now it’s Caryn again. Read that package.)

Also this week: David Lee Roth chatted with Rich Bienstock about the artwork he’s making in quarantine in an incredibly David Lee Roth manner. Jon Caramanica looked at how country music has responded to the larger industry’s calls to examine racism, and found that while the genre’s outsiders are speaking up, its mainstream is still throwing a pool party. Luke Winkie profiled Imanbek, a 19-year-old from Kazakhstan who posted a remix of Saint Jhn’s “Roses” on Russian social media and was surprised to find it become a hit.

And a note from our crosswords and games team: The acrostic puzzle has appeared regularly in The New York Times since 1943. Over all those years, there have been only five people responsible for its creation, and this week they welcome a sixth: the musician Nick Lowe. Try it out (with a Games subscription) here.

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Black Artists on How to Change Classical Music

Nine performers describe the steps they recommend to begin transforming a white-dominated field.

By Zachary Woolfe and Joshua Barone

Tim Kantor

Critic’s Notebook

To Make Orchestras More Diverse, End Blind Auditions

If ensembles are to reflect the communities they serve, the audition process should take into account race, gender and other factors.

By Anthony Tommasini

Sara Krulwich/The New York Times

Critic’s Notebook

Opera Can No Longer Ignore Its Race Problem

As the industry rebuilds from the coronavirus pandemic, it must face long-simmering issues of representation.

By Joshua Barone

Violin Vigils Honor the Memory of Elijah McClain

Mr. McClain, who played the violin, died while being detained by the police in Colorado last summer.

By Giulia Heyward

Continue reading the main story

David Lee Roth Is Letting His Art (Mostly) Do the Talking

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THE CRITICS

critic’s notebook

Country Music Struggles to Meet the Moment. Again.

The larger music industry has vowed to examine racism and bias. In Nashville, only the genre’s outsiders are dipping their toes in essential conversations.

By Jon Caramanica

the playlist

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By Jon Pareles, Jon Caramanica and Giovanni Russonello

INTERVIEWS

Meet the 19-Year-Old From Kazakhstan Who Remixed ‘Roses’ Into a Hit

Imanbek was working at his local train station when he stumbled onto a Saint Jhn song ripe for a dancey redo. The result boosted both artists to a new level.

By Luke Winkie

After 43 Years, Mossy Kilcher’s Folk Songs for Alaska Get a Second Life

Observing the wilderness of her home state has always been her passion. But the musician, who is Jewel’s aunt, is also ready to return to one of her original loves.

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The show’s 27-year-old music supervisor, Ciara Elwis, talks about matching Michaela Coel’s singular vision with songs by Nicki Minaj, Daft Punk and more.

By Reggie Ugwu

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The pandemic has been brutal to buskers. It’s even harder when you have to haul a Steinway all over New York City.

By Alex Vadukul and September Dawn Bottoms

Continue reading the main story

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Artists like Edwin Birdsong and Ballin’ Jack aren’t household names, but their music is instantly recognizable as the samples behind hit pop songs.

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OBITUARIES

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Her crystalline soprano drew on folk tradition, but she also embraced psychedelia and progressive rock.

By Jon Pareles

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He drew notice in the 1960s for his provocative playing with Cecil Taylor and Sun Ra and on his own records. He later devoted most of his time to teaching.

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A local favorite who came up alongside Lil Baby and Migos, Marlo was found dead after a highway shooting on Saturday night.

By Joe Coscarelli

DRIVE-IN CONCERTS

Yacht Rock Revue Kicks Off First Night of Drive-In Concerts in Indiana

Live Nation’s outdoor music series attracted many captain hats, but few masks (which weren’t required).

By Sarah Bahr

Live Music Returns to the Shore: ‘It’s Like Getting Your Life Back’

With the music venues of the Jersey Shore shut because of the coronavirus, Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes staged a drive-in concert.

By Nick Corasaniti

NEWS

political memo

If Kanye West Is Running for President, So Is Your Mom

As far as the Federal Election Commission is concerned, Mr. West is an official candidate as of Thursday. Along with 1,144 other people.

By Maggie Astor

Billboard Tweaks, but Doesn’t Repeal, a Chart Rule Over Album ‘Bundles’

The main arbiter of commercial popularity in music has struggled to adapt its methods to reflect the way listeners behave today without alienating major artists and labels.

By Joe Coscarelli

the charts

Pop Smoke and ‘Hamilton’ Shake Up the Billboard Chart

The posthumous debut album by the Brooklyn rapper landed at No. 1, becoming one of the biggest releases of a slow summer in music.

By Joe Coscarelli

Hindu God in a Music Video? A K-Pop Band Runs Afoul of Fans

A tempest over the band Blackpink’s use of a Hindu god in a video was the latest example of K-pop fans holding artists to account — while staying fiercely loyal.

By Tiffany May and Su-Hyun Lee