One Canuck's Radio Weblog

  Monday, 2 June 2003

.< 4:23:41 PM >
Returning to Carnegie Would Again Give the Philharmonic the Acoustical Edge

The New York Philharmonic's planned move to Carnegie Hall would put a great orchestra back into a great acoustical space that had been its home for decades. [New York Times: Arts] 'The transaction also underscores the wisdom of maintaining historically important halls. When Lincoln Center was built, Carnegie was to have been destroyed for a new apartment complex. That it deserved to be saved has long been an article of faith among New York concertgoers. The return of the Philharmonic underscores it poignantly.

If only the old Metropolitan Opera House at 39th Street hadn't been torn down, one could wish the opera company, which has its own acoustical difficulties, an equally happy return.'

Here in Toronto we have Massey Hall vs Roy Thomson Hall. But last year Artec performed a fabulous acoustical reno on the latter and now we're blessed with a number of fine acoustical spaces.

< 4:18:28 PM >

The defection of the Philharmonic is just the latest in a string of high-profile blows to Lincoln Center. [New York Times: Arts]

< 4:17:33 PM >

The move from Lincoln Center back to Carnegie Hall, where the New York Philharmonic had historically resided, could come as soon as 2006. [New York Times: Arts] 'For the Philharmonic, going to Carnegie Hall means it can exchange the flawed acoustics of Avery Fisher Hall for a stage of undisputed sound quality, without having to foot the bill for a costly renovation.'

A shock to Lincoln Center but this is pretty exciting news. And it's being done for the right reason: better sound!

< 3:56:41 PM >

Blair '100%' behind evidence the government published on Saddam Hussein's alleged weapons of mass destruction before the Iraq war. [Guardian Unlimited]

Is Blair delusional?

< 3:53:52 PM >

Books: The United States is a 'danger to the world', according to historian Niall Ferguson. [Guardian Unlimited]

< 1:17:35 PM >

< 1:16:06 PM >

This is a fun story about early broadcast technology and how, despite facing dirty tricks, the Canucks beat the yanks.

< 1:28:17 AM >

The Iraqi known as Salam Pax, who has capivated thousands of readers around the world with his online accounts of life in Iraq, will write a biweekly column for The Guardian in Britain. [Wired News]

Now what do the people who doubted his authenticity have to say?

< 1:17:19 AM >

Wi-Fi, or wireless fidelity, is being used to provide Internet access to the economically downtrodden people of East Manchester. [New York Times: Technology] 'In Manchester, the once-grimy Victorian city famous as the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution, Wi-Fi is being used, for the first time ever on this scale, as a way to bridge the digital divide.

"We wanted to give people access to the latest technology," said Sean McGonigle, a local official who led the effort to build a network in Manchester. "In our wildest dreams, we didn't envisage the impact it would have."

Ms. Hughes, 40, marvels at the changes in her life. "If not for this, I'd still be cleaning house," she said.'

Fantastic. Sometimes technology rocks.

< 12:56:24 AM >

News.Com: Microsoft to abandon standalone IE. This means that to get a new version of the browser you'll have to install a new version of the operating system? Also, what about the Mac version of IE? Again, Web developers never asked to be Microsoft developers, now they think we should be Windows developers. Oy. [Scripting News]

< 12:55:08 AM >

Great collection of Iraqi WMD quotes in the media. [Adam Curry: Adam Curry's Weblog]

Watch the war party back peddle. Can we say we told you so?

< 12:36:27 AM >

Reed Hundt says Monday's historic vote is "the culmination of the attack by the right on the media." [Salon]

< 12:33:48 AM >

BBC: "A top Canadian health official warns people that they might be "chained to a bed" if they violate strict Sars quarantine rules in Toronto." [Adam Curry: Adam Curry's Weblog]

< 12:30:11 AM >

Marijuana.com: "The latest news from the mecca of marijuana users is a real mindblower. Under a new ban on smoking in public places, Dutch coffee shops would be allowed to continue selling joints, but customers would have to go outside to smoke them. " [Adam Curry: Adam Curry's Weblog]