New York Philharmonic in history-making trip

New York Philharmonic
in history-making trip

PYONGYANG, North Korea — The New York Philharmonic on Monday became the most prominent U.S. cultural institution to visit isolated, nuclear-armed North Korea, and orchestra members said they hoped their musical diplomacy could bring the two nations closer together. A stern-faced border guard checked music director Lorin Maazel’s passport before he descended the steps of the plane to the tarmac, where officials welcomed him and other orchestra members with handshakes and smiles. Later, the musicians were treated to a North Korean dance program and a banquet. North Korea made unprecedented accommodations for the orchestra, allowing a delegation of nearly 300 people, including musicians, staff and journalists, to fly into Pyongyang on a chartered plane for the 48-hour visit. The Philharmonic’s concert Tuesday will be broadcast live on North Korea’s state-run TV and radio, unheard of in a country where events are carefully choreographed to bolster the personality cult of leader Kim Jong Il. The Philharmonic accepted the North’s invitation to play last year, with the encouragement of the U.S. government, at a time of rare optimism in the long-running nuclear standoff involving the countries.

Today’s birthdays

Singer Fats Domino is 80. Political columnist Robert Novak is 77. Country-rock musician Paul Cotton (Poco) is 65. Actor-director Bill Duke is 65. Singer Mitch Ryder is 63. Rock musician Jonathan Cain (Journey) is 58. Singer Michael Bolton is 55. Actor Greg Germann is 50. Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine is 50. Bandleader John McDaniel is 47. Actress Jennifer Grant is 42. Rock musician Tim Commerford (Audioslave) is 40. Singer Erykah Badu is 37. Rhythm-and-blues singer Rico Wade (Society of Soul) is 36. Rhythm-and-blues singer Kyle Norman (Jagged Edge) is 33. Rhythm-and-blues singer Corinne Bailey Rae is 29. Country singer Rodney Hayden is 28. Actress Taylor Dooley is 15.