Why Is The Chinese Government Trying To Buy A Music School In New Jersey?
Plus, a new record from The 1975 and the best books of 2018.
This week, NPR’s Arts Desk launched the 2018 Book Concierge, with more than 300 titles NPR staff and critics loved this year. It’s got a little something for everyone -- but we’re particularly excited about the music selections, including Jessica Hopper’s Night Moves (a powerful portrait of Hopper’s time as a writer and DJ in Chicago's independent music scene), Nate Chinen’s Playing Changes (a new history of 21st century jazz) and Joan Morgan’s She Begat This (Ann Powers calls it a model for cultural inquiry in the hip-hop age).
While we’re on the topic of books, hear Bob Boilen’s conversation with Jeff Tweedy about the Wilco frontman’s new memoir on this week’s All Songs Considered.
Happy reading! Marissa Lorusso, Sidney Madden and Lyndsey McKenna
To Read
An elite music conservatory in New Jersey is up for sale. Its prospective buyer? A for-profit Chinese company owned by the government with no higher ed or classical music experience.
When Antonin Dvorak came to America in 1892, classical music in America needed a reboot. In Symphony No. 9, subtitled "From the New World," he championed a philosophy of inclusion rendered in music.
New Music
The 1975 is freaked out by Internet communication, Meek Mill has become a voice for criminal justice reform after being released from a Pennsylvania prison and Alessia Cara knows that growing up is awkward. Hear our conversation about those new albums and more essential releases out this week on New Music Friday.
If A.I. is going to take over our brains and destroy society, at least Grimes gave us a total banger to soundtrack it.
The video for Sharon Van Etten's new song "Jupiter 4” sets the already shadowy song against a dark palette of out-of-focus images meant to conjure insomnia.
Tiny Desk
Cameron Pollack /NPR
At 15, you were probably studying to get your learner's permit. Pianist Joey Alexander, on the other hand, has already played at Newport Jazz Festival and Jazz at Lincoln Center... and now the Tiny Desk. His performance was so impressive that it was easy to put our feelings of inadequacy aside.
Incoming
Curious about our favorite music of this year? Stay tuned: Next week, we'll be sharing our thoughts about the best songs, albums and memorable moments of 2018.
One More Thing
...Actually, 28 more things, and they’re all trombonists, and they’re all playing “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
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