When IRR pops up next week with 38 pages of advertising, alarm bells will jangle. Our magnificent diversity of press opinion is much preferable to monolithic America, where one broadsheet has a near-monopoly on arts criticism. Appearances, however, can deceive. Diversity, in a minority interest such as classical music and numismatics, can dilute the talent pool to a point of stagnancy. British music mags share many of the same writers, features and attitudes.
None has a defining editorial personality.
A dose of critical rigour is sorely needed, and IRR might be just the ticket. There is a lesson here, known to all who have seen the film American Beauty . When a new management regards experienced staff as dispensable, there can be a price to pay. I hope the German owners of New Grove know what they are doing. Visit every week to read Norman Lebrecht's latest column.