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Ludwig's Links: What Would Beethoven Read This Week? Jan. 28, 2011

This week was an exciting one, though bizarre at times. Gustavo Dudamel took the L.A. Philharmonic to London, and pianist Lang Lang caught some heat for what some called an anti-American snub. But the strangest thing was the piano found in Miami's Biscayne Bay.

The Dude Strikes Again: Gustavo Dudamel and the L.A. Philharmonic played a sold-out concert last night at the Barbican Centre in London. You can hear it here.

Classical Celebrities: Dudamel is hardly the first to reach mainstream fame, says Mark Swed.

Pianist Lang Lang's choice of repertoire for a state dinner with Chinese President Hu Jintao has raised some eyebrows — many are saying he meant to insult the U.S.

Mystery in Miami: A burned baby grand piano was found on a sandbar in the middle of Biscayne Bay in the Miami area. Weeks later, the mystery is solved — and it involves alcohol.

Sumptuous in South Beach: The New World Symphony unveiled its Frank Gehry-designed new home this week, with a fabulous opening concert that included a world premiere by Thomas Ades.

New research suggests that Chopin's hallucinations may have been caused by epilepsy rather than Romantic excess.

Turning Point? Detroit Symphony musicians, striking since October, have submitted a new plan to management but talks are hardly going smoothly. Management plans to wait a week before deciding whether to cancel the season.

Sex And Opera? Whatever opera's problems may be, they don't stem from a lack of creative energy, says Adrian Hamilton. And the answer is not necessarily more sex.

I hate the term 'classical music': Elizabeth Day interviews British pianist James Rhodes, who gets both tattoos and great reviews.

Newly Nonprofit: Michael Zwiebach talks about why San Francisco's only classical station just went public.

An Israeli luthier and his son have spent the past 15 years tracking down violins played by Jewish Holocaust victims and bringing the instruments back to life.

The Kennedy Center continues its celebration of President John F. Kennedy with a Yo-Yo Ma tribute to the concert Pablo Casals played for the president in 1961. The Washington Post's Anne Midgette was there.

Anthony Tommasini of the New York Times has been discussing the topic for weeks, and now he reveals his choice for the greatest composer of all time.

Wolves Onstage: Helene Grimaud's recent concert at Le Poisson Rouge was a joint recital — with one of her wolf friends, who serves as an ambassador for his species.

Classical Music In An Age Of Pop: Greg Sandow's new class at Juilliard asks interesting questions.

And Just Because: Rowan Atkinson conducts Beethoven's 5th.

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Ashalen Sims