October 16, 2003

Arts Briefing

HIGHLIGHTS

MUSIC: POLAR PRIZES B. B. King and Gyorgy Ligeti were named winners yesterday of the Polar Music Prize, awarded by the Royal Swedish Academy and sometimes called the unofficial Nobel Prize for music. "King's total dedication to his music, a rich recording history and tireless touring lasting more than half a century have made him one of the most prominent figures within the blues," the academy said in its citation. Turning to classical music, the academy cited Mr. Ligeti for "stretching the boundaries of the musically conceivable, from mind-expanding sounds to new astounding processes, in a thoroughly personal style that embodies both inquisitiveness and imagination." Established in 1989 by Stig Anderson, manager of the pop group Abba, the prizes of $128,000 each will be presented by King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden at a ceremony in Stockholm. Previous winners include Paul McCartney, Dizzy Gillespie, Mstislav Rostropovich, Pierre Boulez, Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan.

ROCK: OZZY'S TOUR POSTPONED The rock and MTV star Ozzy Osbourne, dealing with the effects of medication to counteract tremors, says he is postponing his European tour until next year on the advice of his doctor. In a statement released on Tuesday, Mr. Osbourne, 54, said the tremors were "practically destroying my life along with my self-esteem," The Associated Press reported. It added that his doctor, Allan Ropper, said that dry mouth, a side effect of the medication, impairs singing but was expected to abate in about a month. Mr. Osbourne said, "I feel like I keep letting you all down, which breaks my heart, but you have my word that I will be over in the new year to complete my European tour." The tour was to have begun on Wednesday in Dublin.

EXHIBITION: ARTS OF IRAN From more than 30 public and private collections in Europe, North America and Asia come miniature paintings like "Portrait of Hatifi," left, Persian carpets, illuminated manuscripts, ceramics, textiles, precious metal objects and other treasures, among the 75 objects that go on view today at the Asia Society. Described as the first comprehensive international exhibition of the arts produced in Iran during the early Safavid dynasty (1501-1786), "Hunt for Paradise: Court Arts of Iran, 1501-1576" continues through Jan. 18.

BEATLES VETO THE INTERNET The Beatles have no plans to make their music available online. In an era when hundreds of thousands of songs may be bought online, the BBC reported that Geoff Baker, a spokesman for the band's record label, Apple Corps, said, "We have no plans at the moment to go online." The decision to withhold the extensive Beatles catalog was interpreted as a setback for the music industry as it promotes legitimate services and tries to cope with declining sales of CD's. Apple Corps is owned by Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr and the estate of George Harrison. The Beatles were among the last major groups to offer their music on CD's and have been slow to adopt new formats. The BBC noted that nearly every Beatles song can be downloaded from sites that have been accused of promoting piracy.

ART: SPANNING THE CENTURIES The Renaissance, Impressionism and many a time of major art in between are linked in the exhibition that begins on Saturday at the Mint Museum of Art in Charlotte, N.C. On loan from the Walters Art Museum in Baltimore, which needed space for its exhibition "Eternal Egypt: Masterworks of Ancient Art From the British Museum," the new show is "Raphael to Monet." Among other artists represented are Bernini (whose "Risen Christ" is above), Ingres, Gérôme, Delacroix, Millet, Pissarro and Degas. "Raphael to Monet" remains through Jan. 11.

ARCHITECTURE: PRIZE WINNER The Laban dance center in Deptford in southeast London has been named the winner of the Stirling Prize, awarded annually by the Royal Institute of British Architects. The shimmering, translucent center, which changes color as the light changes, was designed by Herzog & de Meuron, the Swiss team that transformed the Bankside power station in London into the Tate Modern museum. The winner receives $33,500, the British newspaper The Guardian reported.

FOOTNOTES

Bill Cosby, Branford Marsalis, Whoopi Goldberg, Quincy Jones and Chevy Chase are to serve as hosts when jazz luminaries like Cassandra Wilson, Stanley Jordan, Jimmy Heath, Jon Faddis, Clark Terry and Irene Reid perform at 7 tonight in "A Great Night in Harlem" at the Apollo Theater. This annual event is a presentation of the Jazz Foundation of America that benefits the Jazz Musicians' Emergency Fund, which helps jazz and blues performers in their later years. Ticket prices range from $35 to $500. . . . More than 180 silver objects, many of them created for the Hapsburg monarchs, may be seen beginning tomorrow when "Viennese Silver: Modern Design, 1780-1918," opens at the Neue Galerie. The show was organized with the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna. . . . Traffic in the heart of Times Square will be halted for seven minutes at noon next Thursday when the rapper Wyclef Jean gives a free performance at Broadway and 45th Street. A free concert is scheduled for 8 that night at Roseland.