Bachtrack is out with their annual list of "mosts": the orchestral work most performed on concerts, busiest conductors and orchestras, most performed ballets, and more.

You can read all about it here.

Early Music America, a service organization dedicated to strengthening and supporting the early music community, announces its fourth Medieval and Renaissance Competition for 2016. The application process is now open via our website with the competition finals taking place on October 1, 2016 at Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore, Maryland. This competition is focused on celebrating the brightest up-and-coming performers of music between 1000 and 1600. The winner of EMA’s Medieval and Renaissance Competition will receive a $2500 cash prize along with six performance engagements with major presenters, a feature in EMAg, The Magazine of Early Music America, a feature on Harmonia radio program, and public relations coaching. 

This competition is supported in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. More information, including application materials at www.earlymusicamerica.org/endeavors/medieval-renaissance-competition/.

Conductor Pierre Boulez has passed away at the age of 90. 

At one time conductor of the New York Philharmonic, Boulez had a special interest in modern music.

Associated Press reports on his life, career, and death here.

A recently discovered letter sheds light on the composer and his work--or lack thereof at some points in his life.

Deutsche Welle has an interesting article here.

Norman Lebrecht is reporting that conductor Gilbert Kaplan has passed away.  Kaplan reportedly made millions as a publisher, but moved on to conducting, especially the second symphony of Mahler.

His posting can be read here.