The news that everyone had already assumed came down on Monday: we’ve been in a recession for, oh, about a year now. Still, the official pronouncement increases questions about how ritzy art fairs like this week’s Art Basel in Miami will be affected.

Now, you can fit what I know about global economics onto the head a pin. But someone who does know a lot about both money and art is Dallas art collector Howard Rachofsky. And the former hedge-fund manager tells Bloomberg News that events like Art Basel may be in trouble.

“The world is a truly frightening place,” Rachofsky said. “There’s collective anxiety, and except for those who are truly obsessed, the idea of going on an art-shopping trip doesn’t appeal.”

OK, now that the requisite bit of sad money talk is out of the way, a pair of classical music stories might boost your spirits.

First, the Morning News writes about a 13-year-old musical savant performing tonight at Good Shepherd Catholic Community in Colleyville. Rex Lewis-Clack was born blind and with severe brain damage but has no problem sitting down at the piano and playing a complex piece he’s only just heard. You can read the rest of the story and watch some pretty amazing video of Rex here.

Still need more spirit-boosting? What if I told you that you can audition to play in Carnegie Hall without leaving the house? That’s the concept behind a contest sponsored by Google to help boost classical music’s profile on YouTube. Basically, you download composer Tan Dun’s score and then upload your performance of your part. Judges will grade the entries and users will vote on the best, with the winners earning a trip to New York City to perform under the baton of Michael Tilson Thomas. The whole scoop can be found here.

Should any of you decide to compete for a spot, send us a shout and we’ll embed your video on our site for a little local support.