Posts

Exiles, Expression, Suppression

Dear Friends, In September 1947, Monica Lovinescu left Bucharest for Paris. She was 24, the recipient of a French government-sponsored fellowship. Lovinescu returned… Dear Friends, In September 1947, Monica Lovinescu left Bucharest for Paris. She was 24, the recipient of a French government-sponsored fellowship. Lovinescu returned…

April 20, 2023 April 20, 2023 1 reaction

Identity, Tapestry, Culture

Dear Friends. At Duke last week, I was caught up on “tenting” and K-ville by students as we walked across the university’s emerald green campus. For those who didn’t… Dear Friends. At Duke last week, I was caught up on “tenting” and K-ville by students as we walked across the university’s emerald green campus. For those who didn’t…

April 13, 2023 April 13, 2023 1 reaction

Letters

Dear Friends, Part of the joy and privilege of our small enterprise is the engagement, big heartedness, and collaborative spirit of our community (this starts with the… Dear Friends, Part of the joy and privilege of our small enterprise is the engagement, big heartedness, and collaborative spirit of our community (this starts with the…

March 30, 2023 March 30, 2023 1 reaction

Renée Fleming and How Things Get Made

Dear Friends, I’m watching master classes with soprano Renée Fleming. You don’t have to be a musician to appreciate master classes. Like watching a rehearsal, they offer… Dear Friends, I’m watching master classes with soprano Renée Fleming. You don’t have to be a musician to appreciate master classes. Like watching a rehearsal, they offer…

March 23, 2023 March 23, 2023 1 reaction

History, Music, Christa Ludwig

Dear Friends, In her memoir, Germany’s legendary mezzo soprano Christa Ludwig recounts how her mother survived wartime conditions. At a time of drawn carriages, if an… Dear Friends, In her memoir, Germany’s legendary mezzo soprano Christa Ludwig recounts how her mother survived wartime conditions. At a time of drawn carriages, if an…

March 16, 2023 March 16, 2023 1 reaction

The Shape of the New

Dear Friends, Petr Pavel was sworn in today as Czech president. After the announcement that Pavel had won the election, there were chants of “Pavel na Hrad” (Pavel to… Dear Friends, Petr Pavel was sworn in today as Czech president. After the announcement that Pavel had won the election, there were chants of “Pavel na Hrad” (Pavel to…

March 9, 2023 March 9, 2023 1 reaction

Race, Religion & Rebels

Dear friends, American Purpose, in partnership with D.C. Public Libraries, is hosting a salon-style discussion of James Baldwin’s enduring significance next Wednesday,… Dear friends, American Purpose, in partnership with D.C. Public Libraries, is hosting a salon-style discussion of James Baldwin’s enduring significance next Wednesday,…

March 4, 2023 March 4, 2023 1 reaction

Report from Prague and Berlin

Dear friends, Jeff and I are back from Ukraine roundtables in Prague and Berlin, co-hosted by American Purpose and Renew Democracy Initiative. He’s sharing his… Dear friends, Jeff and I are back from Ukraine roundtables in Prague and Berlin, co-hosted by American Purpose and Renew Democracy Initiative. He’s sharing his…

March 3, 2023 March 3, 2023 1 reaction

Berlin Conversations, Continued

Dear friends, We’re in Europe, where American Purpose is convening roundtables on Ukraine—and a small meeting on Iran—in Prague and Berlin over the coming days. We’re… Dear friends, We’re in Europe, where American Purpose is convening roundtables on Ukraine—and a small meeting on Iran—in Prague and Berlin over the coming days. We’re…

February 23, 2023 February 23, 2023

Black Culture, American Culture, Universal Values

Dear Friends, Earlier this month, I wrote a piece about Black history and Black classical music in which I noted that only recently had I come across the work of… Dear Friends, Earlier this month, I wrote a piece about Black history and Black classical music in which I noted that only recently had I come across the work of…

February 16, 2023 February 16, 2023 1 reaction

Top Ten from the AP Staff

Dear friends, Jeff invited us this week to share our Top Ten American Purpose articles and podcasts. We consulted our colleagues Suzanne Garment, Rebecca Burgess, Sydnee… Dear friends, Jeff invited us this week to share our Top Ten American Purpose articles and podcasts. We consulted our colleagues Suzanne Garment, Rebecca Burgess, Sydnee…

February 9, 2023 February 9, 2023 1 reaction

Black History, Black Classical Music

Dear friends, In lieu of Jeff’s weekly note, please see the article he has published today in American Purpose on “Black History, Black Classical Music.” Best, … Dear friends, In lieu of Jeff’s weekly note, please see the article he has published today in American Purpose on “Black History, Black Classical Music.” Best, …

February 2, 2023 February 2, 2023 1 reaction

FROM JEFF

Dear Friends, The trial in absentia of Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and four associates started in Minsk last week. All five challenged 2020… Dear Friends, The trial in absentia of Belarusian opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and four associates started in Minsk last week. All five challenged 2020…

January 26, 2023 January 26, 2023 1 reaction

Toward a True 'Zeitenwende'

Dear friends, Jeff is back from Berlin. I share with you a piece he co-authored with Bill Kristol that was co-published this week in American Purposeand The Bulwark. In… Dear friends, Jeff is back from Berlin. I share with you a piece he co-authored with Bill Kristol that was co-published this week in American Purposeand The Bulwark. In…

January 19, 2023 January 19, 2023 1 reaction

Back Next Week

Dear Friends, Jeff is in Vilnius and Berlin this week — he'll be back next week with a full report! Best, Michelle Michelle High Senior Editor American… Dear Friends, Jeff is in Vilnius and Berlin this week — he'll be back next week with a full report! Best, Michelle Michelle High Senior Editor American…

January 12, 2023 January 12, 2023 3 reactions

TITLE FROM JEFF

Dear Friends, Ukrainians are made of steel, says U.S. Ambassador in Kyiv Bridget Brink. They’re also experts in networks and social capital, to borrow an expression.… Dear Friends, Ukrainians are made of steel, says U.S. Ambassador in Kyiv Bridget Brink. They’re also experts in networks and social capital, to borrow an expression.…

January 5, 2023 January 5, 2023 1 reaction

Handel’s Messiah and Holiday Playlist

Dear Friends, When Handel’s Messiah premiered, concert-goers came as much for the contralto as they did for the composer. The date was April 13, 1742. The place was… Dear Friends, When Handel’s Messiah premiered, concert-goers came as much for the contralto as they did for the composer. The date was April 13, 1742. The place was…

December 21, 2022 December 21, 2022 2 reactions

Reconstructing Ukraine

Dear members, We wanted to make sure you knew about an important Zoom event this coming Monday, December 19, at 12 p.m. ET: former Ukrainian Finance Minister Natalie… Dear members, We wanted to make sure you knew about an important Zoom event this coming Monday, December 19, at 12 p.m. ET: former Ukrainian Finance Minister Natalie…

December 16, 2022 December 16, 2022

The Front Lines against Authoritarians

Dear Friends, Fats Waller died on December 15, 1943, in Kansas City at the age of 39. He had contracted pneumonia on board the Super Chief, aka “train of the stars,”… Dear Friends, Fats Waller died on December 15, 1943, in Kansas City at the age of 39. He had contracted pneumonia on board the Super Chief, aka “train of the stars,”…

December 15, 2022 December 15, 2022 1 reaction

NEED FROM JEFF

Dear Friends, Even liberal societies place limits on free speech, writes Frank Fukuyama this week. Frank has interesting things to say about Elon Musk — who describes… Dear Friends, Even liberal societies place limits on free speech, writes Frank Fukuyama this week. Frank has interesting things to say about Elon Musk — who describes…

December 8, 2022 December 8, 2022 1 reaction

Ukraine, Memory, Janis Joplin

Dear Friends, Last weekend, a hospital and a mental health facility in liberated Kherson had to be evacuated due to Russian shelling. According to the World Health… Dear Friends, Last weekend, a hospital and a mental health facility in liberated Kherson had to be evacuated due to Russian shelling. According to the World Health…

December 1, 2022 December 1, 2022 2 reactions

The Garden of Beasts

Berlin’s railway stations offer a unique window on fraught history. Bahnhof Zoologischer Garten, memorialized in the 1978 book and 1981 film Christiane F.—Wir Kinder vom… Berlin’s railway stations offer a unique window on fraught history. Bahnhof Zoologischer Garten, memorialized in the 1978 book and 1981 film Christiane F.—Wir Kinder vom…

November 17, 2022 November 17, 2022 2 reactions

Salieri and the Mozart Myth

Dear friends, Jeff is in Berlin this week, kicking off a series of meetings we’re holding jointly with the Renew Democracy Initiative (Garry Kasparov, chairman) on the… Dear friends, Jeff is in Berlin this week, kicking off a series of meetings we’re holding jointly with the Renew Democracy Initiative (Garry Kasparov, chairman) on the…

November 10, 2022 November 10, 2022 1 reaction

Hendrix and Handel

Dear Friends, Jimi Hendrix was born into a poor family in Seattle the day after Thanksgiving, 1942. In late 1961 — on November 3, according to some sources — Hendrix… Dear Friends, Jimi Hendrix was born into a poor family in Seattle the day after Thanksgiving, 1942. In late 1961 — on November 3, according to some sources — Hendrix…

November 3, 2022 November 3, 2022

Jeff Gedmin's Weekly on Politics & Music

Dear Friends, Last week, a 17-year-old young man died in Iran’s second-largest city, Mashhad, after being shot at point-blank range by security forces during anti-regime… Dear Friends, Last week, a 17-year-old young man died in Iran’s second-largest city, Mashhad, after being shot at point-blank range by security forces during anti-regime…

October 27, 2022 October 27, 2022 1 reaction

Dear Friends, Today is a very good day in music history. Jazz great…

Dear Friends, Today is a very good day in music history. Jazz great Jelly Roll Morton was born on October 20, 1890, in New Orleans. Tom Petty was born this day in 1950… Dear Friends, Today is a very good day in music history. Jazz great Jelly Roll Morton was born on October 20, 1890, in New Orleans. Tom Petty was born this day in 1950…

October 20, 2022 October 20, 2022 1 reaction

Dear Friends, Vladimir Putin’s armed forces are still struggling,…

Dear Friends, Vladimir Putin’s armed forces are still struggling, mightily. This week’s deadly missile attacks on more than a dozen cities across Ukraine were a sign of… Dear Friends, Vladimir Putin’s armed forces are still struggling, mightily. This week’s deadly missile attacks on more than a dozen cities across Ukraine were a sign of…

October 13, 2022 October 13, 2022 2 reactions

Dear Friends, Seth Cropsey writes to recommend “Dido’s Lament“ by…

Dear Friends, Seth Cropsey writes to recommend “Dido’s Lament“ by Henry Purcell (1659­–95). “I have always thought of “Dido’s Lament” and the Enigma Variations’ “Nimrod”… Dear Friends, Seth Cropsey writes to recommend “Dido’s Lament“ by Henry Purcell (1659­–95). “I have always thought of “Dido’s Lament” and the Enigma Variations’ “Nimrod”…

October 6, 2022 October 6, 2022 1 reaction

Dear Friends, Frank Fukuyama noted on Twitter this week of Vladimir…

Dear Friends, Frank Fukuyama noted on Twitter this week of Vladimir Putin’s partial mobilization: “I can’t believe they think they can draft Crimean Tatars.” During… Dear Friends, Frank Fukuyama noted on Twitter this week of Vladimir Putin’s partial mobilization: “I can’t believe they think they can draft Crimean Tatars.” During…

September 29, 2022 September 29, 2022 1 reaction

Dear Friends, The year 1933 was a big year in the life of English…

Dear Friends, The year 1933 was a big year in the life of English church musician William Harris (born March 1883, died September 1973). That was the year Harris was… Dear Friends, The year 1933 was a big year in the life of English church musician William Harris (born March 1883, died September 1973). That was the year Harris was…

September 22, 2022 September 22, 2022