Feldman's Faves: June 5, 2023

GOOD MORNING EVERYONE

Greetings from NYC. I am here meeting with some clients and speaking at the Deal Conference tomorrow, which should be interesting.

In the world of basketball I was amused to hear that the Sixers lost a doctor but got a nurse. I have to think Philly finally has a chance to go all the way if Nick Nurse is as brilliant as we all think he is. It helps to have Embid.

Wishing Neill a very happy birthday from last week and Megan a happy birthday today.

Finally, just a reminder of our in office policy to be in the office three days a week – Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. Most of you are doing a great job so thank you and please keep it up.

This week’s theme is based on the history of art and injustices that have taken place throughout history in this field.

Symphony of Secrets By Brendan Slocumb – One of my favourite books from last year was Brendan Slocumb’s first novel, The Violin Conspiracy, which told the story about a black man making it in the world of classical music and the mystery behind his stolen Stradivarius violin. Slocumb seems to be in the process of mastering the unique genre of mystery novel coupled with classical music and racial injustice. In Symphony of Secrets Slocumb improves his craft. Even though the reader knows from the outset how the book will end the two track story leaves you in suspense until the very last chapters. As one reviewer describes the story, “A scholar discovers his favorite composer's secret in this page-turning thriller. When Bern Hendricks, a musicology professor at the University of Virginia, is contacted by the Delaney Foundation, he’s shocked—the organization, dedicated to the legacy of Frederic Delaney, the man Bern considers “the hands-down best composer…in the entire world,” is a worldwide phenomenon, with “its name and logo as recognizable as Walt Disney’s.” Bern is even more floored when it turns out the group has discovered the manuscript of RED, a long-lost Delaney opera, and wants him to prepare it for performance. Bern enlists the help of his friend Eboni, a computer scientist who’s worked on musical analysis of Delaney’s other operas. Bern discovers a mysterious notation in the copy of RED, which puts him and Eboni on the track of a Black woman named Josephine Reed who knew Delaney, but they can’t quite figure out what the relationship entailed—until they do and begin to realize that Delaney, who died of suicide in 1936, might not have been the genius Bern thought he was. The Delaney Foundation is, of course, none too pleased with their discovery. Slocumb’s narrative alternates between the present day and the early 20th century, and his transitions are seamless. The dialogue in the novel, particularly between Bern and Eboni, sparkles, and the author does a brilliant job building suspense. Slocumb’s debut, The Violin Conspiracy (2022), was solid, but he seems to be having much more fun with this one, writing with a refreshing looseness and well-earned confidence. This is a superb novel that will appeal to any thriller fan, not just readers with an ear for classical music. Sophomore novels don’t get much better than this.” There are various forms of cultural expropriation and a long history of exploitation in the arts. This novel addresses this serious issue in the most entertaining of ways. Here is a good review from the NYT -https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/18/books/review/symphony-of-secrets-brendan-slocumb.html

Freakonomics Radio - Is a Museum Just a Trophy Case? Consistent with this week’s attempt at a theme is an interesting discussion about whether museums and collectors of ancient art (or any art for that matter) have a moral duty to return that art to the original owner, country of origin or museum. While it is easy to say this in the context of the current Russian army looting museums in the Ukraine it gets trickier (at least from a logistics perspective) the further you go back in time and where the origins of the art a not clear. There is some in depth discussion of the Benin Bronzes and their current home in the British Museum and some serious controversy surrounding this issue. I won’t reveal it here so you will need to listen if you are interested. Here’s an excerpt from the PODCAST itself, “The world’s great museums are full of art and artifacts that were plundered during an era when plunder was the norm. Now there’s a push to return these works to their rightful owners. Sounds simple, right? It's not.” https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/freakonomics-radio/id354668519?i=1000612575405

Thank you for your ongoing engagement and participation.

And remember to stay safe, stay healthy and to docket daily.

Jon