The Courier-Journal from Louisville, Kentucky • Page 119

2 THE COURR-JOURNAL. SUNDAY. APRIL 24. 1988 SPOTLIGHT OM: Grawemeyer awards A' -1 WILLIAM MOOTZ STAFF CRITIC ffi The Grawemeyer music award has gone to Witold Lutoslawski, Gyorgy Ligeti and Harrison Birtwistle. The decision not to grant prize in music this year can only enhance award's prestige This has not been a happy season for the University of Louisville Grawemeyer awards.

First came word, on March 25, that the Grawemeyer Award for Music Composition, now in its fourth year, would not be given In 1988. Then the university announced last week that it would not present a Grawemeyer Award in Education this year because there were not enough candidates from outside the United States. The university says it still hopes to announce a winner of a Grawemeyer Award In World Order on May 24. That award is new this year, as was the proposed education award. Each of the Grawemeyer awards is worth $150,000, a sum that gives them the potential of becoming among the most prestigious prizes of their kind in the world.

Indeed, this prestige already has been established by the Grawemeyer award in prize is still young. Eventually, there will undoubtedly be American winners." But the Grawemeyer Award in Music Composition is an international award, and it must not be debased by pragmatic considerations. That the School of Music refused to take such chances this year can only increase the respect it commands. Its decision to withhold this prestigious prize in 1988 sets standards that may well benefit categories for other Grawemeyer awards. spring to promote the Grawemeyer composition awards.

He also will be trying to learn why certain compositions are entered and others are not Harman is aware, too, that some native composers are incensed that the award has not yet gone to an American. "We hear constantly that there are good American composers, writing good music So why not an American winner?" Harman is sympathetic. "I'd love for it to go to an American. The faculty, Keyes recognized the award's potential not only for bringing honor to the university, but for focusing attention on the composing profession in a unique way. Keyes' service as the first executive secretary of the Grawemeyer Award for Music Composition reaped continuous benefits during its first three years.

His contagious enthusiasm and his piacticed judgment won friends wherever he traveled in the award's behalf. The fact that three awards went to music of unquestioned genius during his tenure is testimony that the music world responded positively to his leadership, and his death in a mountain-climbing accident last summer was a cruel loss. But Keyes' ground-breaking labor established the credentials of the award throughout the world. Winners like Lutoslawski, Ligeti and Birtwistle proved that the award exists as an honor available only to the very best in contemporary music. So the news that no music award is to be given this year didn't come as a complete surprise.

The prize's standards are now impeccably high. When a distinguished panel of judges Birtwistle; Michael Walsh, music critic of Time magazine; and Lawrence Leighton Smith, music director of the Louisville Orchestra could not agree on an entry equal to the distinction of its first winners, it would have been folly to award the prize simply for the sake of having a winner. Maintaining the prize's integrity is more Important David Harman, current executive director of the composition award, says the decision caused "considerable anguish" among the judges. "One constantly worries about errors of judgment Still, it's better to err on the side of caution. We are primarily concerned that composers not misinterpret this decision.

It's an expression of caution, rather than a music, which went in its first three years to Witold Lutoslawski, Gyorgy Ligeti and Harrison Birtwistle, composers of worldwide importance. The very success of the composition prize may be casting a shadow on the newer Grawemeyer categories. Lutoslawski's Third Symphony, for instance, has not only been performed by just about every major orchestra in the world, but superbly recorded by both the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Berlin Philharmonic. With its first three selections, the university made it clear that its Grawemeyer award in composition would go only to works of international significance. Such Instant recognition of stature will not come easily to awards in education and world order.

One sympathizes with officials who therefore are moving cautiously. Ray Nystrand, dean of the university's School of Education, blamed poor publicity for the small number of entries from educators the world over. One wonders, however, if this strikes at the root of the problem. Publicity was equally limited when the music award was announced. Yet 200 entries poured in from around the world.

This is in startling contrast to only 78 entries in education and 60 entries for world order. When the music prize was announced, Nelson Keyes worked tirelessly to promote it among composers, publishers and music organizations the world over. A composer who served on the School of Music's statement of doubt about their qualifications. The judges felt the Grawemeyer (in composition) has established so unquestioned a significance that it must go only to work of international stature. The judges found no entry profound enough to provide a focal point of enthusiasm, as was the case with Lutoslawski's symphony." The judges also were concerned, Harman says, that some major works had not been submitted.

John Adams' "Nixon in China," an opera that has received extraordinary media and critical attention, was not entered. Nor were works by such composers as Joseph Schwantner, David Del Tredici, John Corigliano or Dominick Argento. Harman is reluctant to talk about this matter, for obvious reasons. Composers, like other creative artists, have tender egos. Composers who have entered in the past and not won may feel abused or humiliated.

And publishers may be playing complicated musical politics by promoting certain of their published composers for the award and withholding others from entering. It's tricky terrain, and Harman will be traveling extensively this AUDITIONS SHOW CLOCK script. For information, call (502) 893-5912. THURSDAY) NewStage Repertory Theatre needs two men, one age 25-35 and the other 30-45, and two women, one age 25-45 and the other 20 or older, for "Amazing Grace." From 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday in the large rehearsal hall of the Kentucky Center for the Arts.

Unless you make an appointment, be there at 7 p.m. For information and appointments, call (502) 429-5231. WEDNESDAY: Hardin County Playhouse needs actors, 16 and older, for singing and non-singing roles in "Once Upon a Mattress." At 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at the playhouse, Radclrff, Ky. For information, call (502) 351-0577.

Floyd County Theatre needs three men and two women between the ages of 18 and 60 for "The Midnight Murderer." At 7 p.m. at the theater, 34 E. 13th above The Cellar Restaurant, New Albany. Those auditioning will read from the iLIQt Iff 10 MULTIMEDIA KENTUCKY KentuckyShowl: 1 1 a.m. and 2 p.m.

daily. STAGE DERBY DINNER PLAYHOUSE (Clarksville) Jesus Christ Superstar buffet, noon and 6:35 p.m.; show, 2 and 8.15 p.m. KENTUCKY CENTER FOR THE ARTS Chita Rivera in Can-Can: 2 and 7 p.m. UNIVERSITY OF LOUISVILLE Strider 8 p.m. MUSIC KENTUCKY CENTER FOR THE ARTS Debra Tuggle in From the Hills to the Ohio and Home Again: 4 p.m.

LOCUST GROVE HISTORIC HOME Chamber Music: 5 p.m. LOUISVILLE GARDENS Earth, Wind and Fire: p.m. SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Louisville Chorus: 7:30 p.m. OF SCHOOL OF MUSIC Los Tiempos Posados, 3 p.m.; of Orchestra, 8 p.m. MOVIES Key to Ratings: (Q) general audiences; (PG) parental guidance suggested, some material may not be suitable for preteen-agers; (PG-13) all ages, but parents warned to exercise special caution with children under 13; (R) restricted, persons -under 17 are not admitted unless acconv panied by parent or adult guardian; (X) persons under 17 are not admitted (individual theaters may choose to Increase age limits); (U) unrated films.

CORYDON TWIN (Corydon) Beetle-juice (PG): 2, 7. Biloxi Blues (PG-13): 2, 7. DIXIE 4 Tne Fox and the Hound (G): 12:45, 2:45, 4:45, 7. Police Academy 5 (PG): ..12:45, 2:45, 4:45, 7, 9:15. Masquerade (R): .1.3, 5:15, 7:30, 9:45.

Bright Ughts, Big City (R): 1, 3, 5:15, 7:30, 9:45. The Untouchables (R): 9:15. GREEN TREE 4 Good Morning, Vietnam (R): 12:35, 2:50, 5:05, 7:20, 9:35. Three Men and a Baby (PG): 1 3, 5, 7, 9. The Fox and the Hound (G): 12:40, 2:25, 4:10, 5:50, 9:15.

Return to Snowy River (PG): 3:15, 5:15, 7:15, 9:15. JEFF PLAZA (Jeffersonville) Police "Academy 5 (PG): 12:45, 4:45, 7. Bright -Ughts. Big City (R): 12:45, 2:45, 4:45, 7, 9:15. Masquerade (R): 1, 3, 5:15, 7:30, 9:30.

Unholy (R): 1, 3, 5:15, 7:30, 9:30. John-; fly Be Good (PG-13): 2:45, 9:15. JTOWN 4 Batteries Not Included JPG): 4:15, 8:45. Throw Momma From the Train (PG-13): 2, 4, 7:15, 9:15. 18 Again (PG): 2:30, 7.

Vice Versa (PG): 2:30, 4:15, 9:30. Frantic (R): 2, 4. 7. 9. OXMOOR Three Men and a Baby PG): 1:45, 3:45, 5:40, 7:40, 9:40.

Johnny Be Good (PG): 2, 3:45, 5:25, 7:45, 9:30. The Unbearable Lightness of Being (R): 1, 4:15, Stand and Deliver (PG): 1:25, 3:25, 5:30, 7:30, 9:30. The Unholy (R): 1:50, 3:50, 5:50, 7:55, 95. RACELAND Three Men and a Baby (PG): 1:45, 3:45, 5:40, 7:40, 9:40. The Un-' holy (R): 1:50, 3:50, 5:50, 7:55, 9:55.

Masquerade (R): 1:25, 3:20, 5:15, 7:30, 9:25. Bright Lights, Big City (R): 1:35, 3:40, 5:40, 7:45, 9:50. SHOWCASE CINEMAS Good Morning, Vietnam (R): 1:25, 4:15, 7:25, 9:50. Moonstruck (PG): 1, 3:10, 5:15, 7:35, 9:35. he Last Emperor (PG-13): 1, 4, 8.

Bad (R): 1:15, 3:10, 5:05, 7:35. 9:35. vTne Milagro Beanfieid War (R): 1:15, 4:15, 7:30, 9:45. School Daze (R): 1:30, 4:05, 9:50. Above the Law (R): 1:10, 3:15, 5:15, 7:25, 9:30.

Fatal Attraction (R): 1:20, 4, 7:20, 9:50. Beetlejuice (PG): 1, 3:10, 5:20, ,.,7:30, 940. Casual Sex? (R): 1:10, 3:10, 7:35, 9:35. The Seventh Sign (R): 1:05, 3:05, 5:05, 7:30, 9:40. Biloxi Blues (PG-13): 1, 3:10, 5:15, 7:35, 9:45.

Return to Snowy River (PG): 1, 3, 5, 7:15, 9:15. UPTOWN Planes, Trains and Auto-. 'mobiles (R): 7:30. Empire of the Sun (PG): 9:30. VILLAGE 8 Bright Lights.

Big City (R): 1:30, 3:30, 5:30, 7:40, 9:40. Wall Street (R): 1:15, 4:15, 7:05, 9:30. The Fox and the Hound (G): 12:40, 2:25, 4:10, 5:50, 7:30, 9:15. The Untouchables (R): 4, 7:05, 9:20. Broadcast News (R): 1, 4, 7, 9 25.

Hope and Glory (PG-13): 12:40, 2:50, 5, 7:10, 9:25. A New Life (PG-13): 1:25, 3:25, 5:25, 7:35, 9:35. Masquerade (R): 1:15, 3:15, 5:15, 7:15, 9:15. VOCUE Someone to Watch Over Me (R): 3:30. End of the Line (PG): 5.30.

Phan-. torn of the Paradise (PG): 7:30. Eurythmics Live (U): 9:30. WESTLANO Three Men and a Baby PG): 1:40, 3:45, 5:40, 7:40, 9:40. Johnny Be Good (PG): 2, 3:45, 5:25, 7:45, 9:30.

The Unholy (R): 1:50, 3:50, 5:50. 7:55, 9:55. Wall (R): 2:10, 4:40, 7:35, 9:55. DRIVE-INS GEORGETOWN (Indiana) Police Academy 5 (PG): 8 45. The Lost Boys (R): 10:15.

Music As You've Never Seen..