For the music-minded, a review of the Philadelphia Orchestra in Carnegie Hall last night. Yannick Nézet-Séguin conducted Mahler's "Resurrection" Symphony. The night before, he had conducted "Tristan und Isolde" at the Met. What nights (consecutive). newcriterion.com/dispatch/bac...
For years, Viktor Orbán has used George Soros as his Bogeyman No. 1 in election campaigns. This year, it's Volodymyr Zelensky (regarded by many, and understandably, as the leader of the Free World). Will this work on the Hungarian electorate? Unlike Trump and Putin, I hope not.
At the institute last week, there was a sign: "Unbreakable Ukraine." Conquest wrote a book called "Stalin: Breaker of Nations." Putin is trying to break Ukraine now. That he fail is important not just to the Ukrainians but to all of us.
In 1999, Bill Buckley took me to the Ukrainian Institute of America to hear Robert Conquest. Since 2022, I have been to the institute several times, including last week. I have written a column, making some essential points, I hope. www.thenextmove.org/p/unbreakabl...
Mike, my opinion is: you should not travel to *see* it; but to hear it? Yes!
For decades, interested parties have talked about what comes "after" in Cuba -- after the communist dictatorship. As a conservative, I know that things can always get worse. With some exceptions. Cubans have been tormented by that murderous regime for 66 years. Basta.
For the music-minded, a review of "Tristan und Isolde" at the Metropolitan Opera last night. It was ... something. newcriterion.com/dispatch/wal...
We Republicans -- I was one, pre-Trumpification -- used to say that the Democrats were naïve about the Kremlin. Gullible. You know, I'm not sure they were ever this bad. Putin must not be able to believe his luck.
Both the U.S. administration and the Kremlin are backing Viktor Orbán in his bid for reelection in Hungary. (It would be his sixth term.) They are doing it openly and fervently. This says a great deal about our times. And what it says is: very bad news.
For the music-minded, a review of "Tristan und Isolde" at the Metropolitan Opera last night. It was ... something. newcriterion.com/dispatch/wal...
For the music-minded, a review of a concert by the New York Philharmonic. Conductor: Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla. Violin soloist: Vilde Frang. Composers: Elgar, Kurtág, and Schumann. (Mr. Kurtág turned 100 last month.) newcriterion.com/dispatch/spr...
The below tweet occasioned many responses. I have addressed some of the critics in an essay -- a personal essay. Others could write their own, along similar lines. Anyway: for your consideration. www.jaynordlinger.com/p/the-health...
For the music-minded, a review of a concert by the New York Philharmonic. Conductor: Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla. Violin soloist: Vilde Frang. Composers: Elgar, Kurtág, and Schumann. (Mr. Kurtág turned 100 last month.) newcriterion.com/dispatch/spr...
The below tweet occasioned many responses. I have addressed some of the critics in an essay -- a personal essay. Others could write their own, along similar lines. Anyway: for your consideration. www.jaynordlinger.com/p/the-health...
"The refusal to acknowledge lethal Jew hatred explains why Jewish people are more frightened than at any point in my lifetime." Thank you to @nickcohen.bsky.social for this column. nickcohen.substack.com/p/telling-th...
A chilling, dismaying headline, for all who care about the fate of freedom and democracy. apnews.com/article/russ...
You sometimes hear, "The traditional 'American way' is no longer viable. People are falling farther behind, and the elites are hogging more control." Etc. I have written a piece that replies to that -- something personal. See what you think. www.jaynordlinger.com/p/the-health...
You sometimes hear, "The traditional 'American way' is no longer viable. People are falling farther behind, and the elites are hogging more control." Etc. I have written a piece that replies to that -- something personal. See what you think. www.jaynordlinger.com/p/the-health...
In his trademark, uproarious style, Matt Labash makes a point that ought to be emphasized: The second Trump turned against Noem, the whole "movement" did too. And not a second before. This is how such, uh, movements work. Pathetic (and very human). mattlabash.substack.com/p/cooking-co...
Men such as Eisenhower and Marshall weren’t excited about killing people. They weren’t giddy. They thought it was their grim duty, and they went about their business with full recognition of its awfulness, whatever the necessity of it. That’s how leaders ought to be, I think.
Could anything -- anything in this world -- get Trump to say a critical word about Putin? I don't think so. I know that crowd very well. Putin could bomb Dubuque, and they'd say, "NATO provoked him. The Iowans are woke." I know this crowd. www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
For the music-minded, a review of the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, with Joshua Bell, in Carnegie Hall. Interesting and contentious issues arise. Also, as a bonus: a memory of Bill Buckley. newcriterion.com/dispatch/bel...
I am not Little Bo-Peep about war. You don't have to lecture me about Dresden. But when this Iran war is over, I think Americans might be startled at the civilian casualties. It's not all "the leaders," "the bad guys." Sober people acknowledge this and account for it.
In the last several days, I have been thinking about the Iranian dissidents I have met, interviewed, and known over the years. I have been in touch with some of them. Here is an article from me, on past and present. www.thenextmove.org/p/a-storm-of...
If Trump and the GOP don't support Ukraine against Putin, is it too much to ask for non-hostility? Apparently, yes. I have written a column touching on this matter, and others. See what you think. www.jaynordlinger.com/p/a-curious-...
I guess Noem's congressional testimony sank her. To me, she was a model of statesmanship compared with Bondi.
In the last several days, I have been thinking about the Iranian dissidents I have met, interviewed, and known over the years. I have been in touch with some of them. Here is an article from me, on past and present. www.thenextmove.org/p/a-storm-of...
"The United States joined Russia, China, and Niger on Thursday in opposing a resolution adopted by the U.N. nuclear watchdog's board denouncing attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure ..." Our country, America, is disgraced. Repeatedly. www.reuters.com/world/europe...
A memory: Many years ago, I was approaching Cologne Cathedral with Paul Johnson, the British historian (including of art). Looking at the modern buildings around the cathedral, he muttered, "Barbarians." apnews.com/article/germ...
