A Klaus Lang Moment
Klaus Lang’s latest composition has been released on Another Timbre’s new album “geschrieben in wasser,” performed by the vocal ensemble Apartment House. The piece was spotlighted by Alex Ross in his The Rest Is Noise column, accompanied by a YouTube video that showcases its immersive texture. The release underscores Lang’s growing influence in the experimental music scene and highlights the label’s commitment to avant‑garde collaborations. Critics note the album’s striking production values and its potential to reach listeners beyond niche circles.
Wagnerism Alert
Sam Altman used his blog to warn that the pursuit of artificial general intelligence (AGI) has taken on a "ring of power" mentality, where the desire to control the technology drives extreme behavior. He likens the obsession to Tolkien’s mythic...
Nightafternight Playlist
The Nightafternight playlist curates a selection of recent classical releases across major labels. Highlights include Mahler’s Symphony No. 7 with Paavo Järvi, Grandval’s opera Mazeppa, and Shostakovich’s Symphonies 2 and 5 performed by the BBC Philharmonic. New works from John Luther Adams and...
When Susan Sontag Met Thomas Mann
The New Yorker essay explores the unlikely encounter between cultural critics Susan Sontag and Thomas Mann, framing it as a clash of mid‑century intellectual temperaments. It recounts how Sontag, then a rising essayist, sought Mann’s endorsement while grappling with his...
Translating Mann (II)
When Thomas Mann’s works entered the public domain at the start of 2024, publishers quickly moved to release new editions. Oxford University Press issued fresh translations of Buddenbrooks, The Magic Mountain and Doctor Faustus, while Norton announced a competing Magic Mountain...