November 8, 2008

Few other conductors have become so involved in the public realm as Valery Gergiev, whose Kirov Orchestra will perform at Avery Fisher Hall on Sunday and Monday.

The Hold Steady and Drive-By Truckers, who co-headlined at Terminal 5 on Thursday, share a commitment to underdogs but have different ways of expressing it.

An idea seems to be gaining traction that improbably has Bill Cosby and Karl Rove in agreement: “The Cosby Show” succeeded in changing racial attitudes enough to make an Obama candidacy possible.

Studies have repeatedly shown a higher failure rate for women who undergo the technique known as hip resurfacing.

Turkey is faced with the awkward prospect of being forced to accept stringent fiscal conditions to obtain I.M.F. money to replace its disappearing private capital.