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Writing about music:
For the Love of Layla Sunday, March 1, 2009 The New York Times (Arts & Leisure) Yo-Yo Ma's Silk Road Ensemble revisits Azerbaijan's first homegrown opera, integrating maqam styles and an ancient epic tale with Western motifs.
Songs Lifted In Praise of Gomidas Sunday, October 17, 2008 The New York Times (Arts & Leisure) A husband and wife duo bring the music of Armenia's national hero to a wider audience.
A Mass By Committee, And a Test of Belief Sunday, April 22, 2007 The New York Times (Arts & Leisure)
Can a Latin mass speak to all religions without sacrificing its meaning?
Sarband and Concerto Köln Bridge a Cultural Ravine Sunday, August 6, 2006 The New York Times (Arts & Leisure) A pair of German ensembles examine the relationship between Turkey and Europe in terms of music history.
The Gospel of New Music, According to Midori Sunday, April 23, 2006 The New York Times (Arts & Leisure) The world-class violinist explains the mysteries of new music, running a day-long workshop for curious ticket-holders in San Francisco.
Get Them in the Seats, and Their Hearts Will Follow Sunday, February 26, 2006 The New York Times (Arts & Leisure) A group of New York City high-school students who spend their Friday nights at chamber music concerts, and try to get their friends to come along.
Hoping Music Is the Food of Peace, an Orchestra Plays On Wednesday, August 24, 2005 The New York Times (Arts) The Caucasian Chamber Orchestra made its debut at the Batumi Music Festival in the newly-reintegrated region of Ajaria, Georgia.
Flamenco Lessons With a Difference Saturday, July 16, 2005 The New York Times (Arts) At Lincoln Center, public school teachers turn to flamenco for inspiration in teaching English language learners.
The 60-Day Course in Perfect Fake Piano Playing Sunday, July 10, 2005 The New York Times (Arts & Leisure) How actors who have never played a note bluff their way through the toughest sonatas and nocturnes.
A Silk Road That Leads Somewhere Truly New Sunday, April 10, 2005 The New York Times (Arts & Leisure) A conversation with Yo-Yo Ma about how deliberate experimentation can lead to new musical traditions.
Bending Folk to Fit a 12-Tone Style and Vice Versa Sunday, January 23, 2005 The New York Times (Arts & Leisure) A review of two new recordings: Monodia, compositions by Tigran Mansurian featuring Kim Kashkashian, Leonidas Kavakos, the Hilliard Ensemble, and the Munich Chamber Orchestra; and Mugam Sayagi, compositions by Franghiz Ali-Zadeh performed by the Kronos Quartet and Ali-Zadeh.
Graduating From High School For Their Annual King Day Show Saturday, January 15, 2004 The New York Times (Arts) Reflections on identity, music, and change from Ysaye Barnwell, the new director of the venerable vocal ensemble Sweet Honey In The Rock. Culturally Worlds Apart, Children Touch Musically Wednesday, December 8, 2004 The New York Times (Arts) A report from an extraordinary high-tech concert at Carnegie Hall in which New York City students communicate with students in New Delhi, India. A Cultural Jam Session of Timbres and Tongues Tuesday, October 19, 2004 The New York Times (Arts) A piece examining how Mongolian throat-singing reflects not only different vocal traditions in the East and West, but also radically different ways of studying music.
Timely Hymns to a Timeless City Sunday, March 7, 2004 The New York Times (Arts & Leisure) A review of a new CD by vocalist and songwriter Lilit Pipoyan.
Ambassador for a Silenced Music Sunday, May 25, 2003 The New York Times (Arts & Leisure) An exploration of the fate of music in the Islamic Republic of Iran after the 1979 Revolution that brought strict limitations on musical performance.
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Essays, book reviews, and narrative nonfiction:
Internal Affairs [PDF] January 23, 2009 The National
Reflections on Azar Nafisi's second memoir, "Things I've Been Silent About".
For Which It Stands January 8, 2009 GlobalPost
A dispatch from Turkey for a GlobalPost series on worldwide reactions to President Obama's inauguration.
Minority Rules Sunday, February 17, 2008 The New York Times Magazine
A report from Turkey's southeast, where local Kurdish mayors face dozens of lawsuits for using the language their constituents speak.
The Year in Ideas: Literary Spam Sunday, December 10, 2006 The New York Times Magazine
The Year in Ideas: Yodeling is Universal Sunday, December 10, 2006 The New York Times Magazine
The Year in Ideas: Shipping Containers Explain Everything Sunday, December 10, 2006 The New York Times Magazine
Destination: Armenia July 12, 2006 Salon.com An essay about Armenian literature for Salon.com's Literary Guide to the World.
Why Repeat These Sad Things? Spring 2006 n+1 (Number 4: Reconstruction)
Another Country May 2, 2005 The Nation (Books & the Arts) Thoughts on exile, "Iran chic," and the limitations of nostalgia, with reviews of "Lipstick Jihad" by Azadeh Moaveni, and "In the Rose Garden of the Martyrs" by Christopher de Bellaigue.
Common Ground Sunday, April 24, 2005 Boston Globe (Ideas) A group of Turkish and Armenian historians who work together against the long-standing enmity that divides their communities.
The Burden of Memory September 20, 2004 The Nation (Books & the Arts) A critical look at the clashing needs and motivations of diasporas and their homelands, including reviews of "The Burning Tigris" by Peter Balakian and "Modern Armenia: People, Nation, State" by Gerard Libaridian.
The Truth About Our Good Intentions Monday, October 13, 2003 Alternet.org An essay about how American development projects in other countries might look to those on the receiving end of charity. |
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