Handke and Birtwistle

I must say I'm quite dismayed by the reaction to Peter Handke's The Hour We Knew Nothing of Each Other at the National Theatre.  While of course not all responses have been negative, for the most part it's been greeted with incomprehension and even some hostility.  The extraordinary musical qualities of the work have been largely unrecognised and unappreciated by the critics and public alike.  Why do people have such difficulty with abstraction when it comes to drama?  Nobody pulls out their hair and screams "but what does it all MEAN?" when they hear Mozart.

Mind you, we have a rash of Harrison Birtwistle operas about to hit London, so maybe we're in for more of the same.  I've been watching on Youtube the scenes that greeted the revival of his Gawain in 1994, when people actually picketed the Royal Opera House with placards, protesting against modernism in music.  Unbelievable.  I acknowledge that both Handke and Birtwistle produce "difficult" work that makes you work a bit but they are also among the most exciting artists of today in their respective fields.

Indiana Jones trailer now online!

The first trailer for the new Indiana Jones film is now online.

At least half is footage from the older films, but there's some definite whip-cracking, a few temples, some angry natives and Cate Blanchett. Check it out for yourself at www.indianajones.com

(Doesn't he look old?)

Massive Attack To Curate Meltdown 2008

Portishead are back in our midst with a new album this year, and as if by coincidence, Massive Attack have emerged from the woodwork too.

In quick succession Robert Del Naja and co have announced a new album due for release in September, a Glastonbury Other Stage headlining slot, and now that they'll become the first group to curate the South Bank Centre's Meltdown festival. It's the 15th such shindig, and runs from 14th to 22nd June.

Massive Attack haven't been away as long as Ms Gibbons and Messrs Barrow and Utley, mind, but it's looking like a Bristol renaissance of sorts all the same. All we need now is Tricky.

The trip-hoppers of course follow in the footsteps of Jarvis, Nick Cave, Morrissey, Patti Smith, David Bowie, Lee 'Scratch' Perry', Robert Wyatt, Scott Walker and the late John Peel as curators of the event.

So who's playing? We don't know yet, but I reckon I can hazard a guess at three of the acts they'll be booking already. Want a clue? Two I'm thinking of are solo female singers. One's been around for decades and the other recently released her debut album. A third is, like Del Naja, a sometime pretty boy front man who's getting on a bit, but still definitely has what it takes, in various guises...

Whoever gets booked, the final word has to go to Michael Lynch, the SBC's excitable CEO: “Meltdown 2008 will be Massive!”

Film Features: Michael Clayton, Jumper

Two features up on the musicOMH.com site today: firstly a review of the DVD release of Michael Clayton, which is out to buy on Monday, fresh from its win at the BAFTAs and looking likely to scoop another prize at the Oscars... if they happen.

Secondly we have a competition to win Jumper goodies, though sadly we can't offer an instantaneous holiday in Egypt or even a nice jumper: you'll have to settle for hoodies and copies of the book. Entries for that need to be in by the 20th of February, so get thinking!

BAFTA Awards

Tune in to BBC1 at 9pm tonight for all the posh frocks, dazzling smiles and tearful speeches from the BAFTA awards.

With writers still feeling militant over the pond, it's likely that the BAFTAs will take on more significance than usual this year. The Golden Globes were a mere news conference, and it's not yet clear what form this year's Oscars will take.

Not only that, but there are British entries in all the main categories, with Atonement amongst the favourites.

A full list of nominations can be found at the BAFTAs website.

UPDATE, 21:30 GMT:

Atonement was named as best film, Daniel Day-Lewis as best actor for There Will Be Blood and Tilda Swinton as Best Supporting Actress for Michael Clayton. But Julie Christie missed out.

Full list of winners:

BAFTAs website