There’s a new reality show in the UK. Usually this would be an excuse to hit the Trader Vic’s (4th edition) and work on a new cocktail, but this one is different. Or worse. The name says it all – Maestro. This naturally has got me thinking about how far this could be taken (insert suitable dream music here………………………………..)
Bill Eddins
On and on about Oregon
One thing about being busy – sometimes someone has the same idea as you but gets it out there faster. Poor old Elisha Grey is known as the also ran of the telephone because he was a couple hours late to the patent office. It happened to me this weekend. I had this great “Chicken Little” comment that was going to be my lead-in to my thoughts on the recent Oregon Symphony article, but then someone beat me to it. None-the-less, I’m betting that the blog from the Oregonian is a lot closer to the truth. But even that blogger doesn’t dwell on the symphony’s secret weapon.
Pull up the Roots…..
Well, it seems that our friend Junichi in Columbus is taking some fire for “not putting down roots in the community.” On the opposite side of that coin one of the Columbus musicians has come to his defense by noting that the Executive Director, Tony Beadle, hasn’t put down any roots in Columbus either. While I appreciate the defense on behalf of Junichi I’d like to make another point – it is time for orchestras to drop this outdated idea of the Music Director In Residence. Starting right now.
From the heart……..
It’s summer, so I’m busy being a human being instead of a conductor. There’s a joke in there somewhere but it’s true. But because I’m looking at the world at large other things jump out at me, some of them very much part of the family history. So today I say goodbye to another world legend, one I never had the chance to meet, but who had a profound effect on my family.
Another dozen Chicken Wings please……
Man, it’s been a rough month for famous folks from my great home town of Buffalo, N.Y. First Tim Russert unexpectedly leaves us. Now this very morning we hear of the passing of Leonard Pennario. Time to fire up the deep-fryer in their honor and wrastle up a batch of suicide wings.
Flashback(s) 100 years……
I rarely attend concerts. It is not that I have no interest in music but rather than I have interest in things besides music. Being “seen” by the appropriate people is definitely not on that list. Playing with my kids is. So it takes a lot to get me out the door for an evening of classical fun. Thank God it happened Tuesday…..
Critical Mass(acre)
It happened again, this time in Lyon. There is that moment sometime after the first performance when someone in the administration of whatever orchestra I’m conducting says “have you seen the reviews?” – and I know that “the Moment” has arrived.
I’m DONE!!!!!!!!
I am sooooooo done.