“It was 20 years ago today, Sargeant Pepper taught the band to play!” Yes, those were the lyrics running through my mind Friday night as I watched the locked-out Minnesota Orchestra, under the direction of Edo de Waart, rehearse the 9th symphony of Beethoven. Uplifting, and depressing.
Bill Eddins
Minnesota – A Calamity in One Tragic Act
For weeks I have meant to sit down and write this particular blog. I have had the red line proposals from the Minnesota Orchestra administration for two months, and I have promised my blog mate Drew that I would be a part of a detailed analysis on the impact of these proposals and the implications for the future health of the M.O. But I have to admit the truth – I give up.
Late Seating
It has been a couple of weeks since a copy of the red-line contract proposal from the Minnesota Orchestra admin to the players was given to me. Since then I’ve been busy with my own night job, various and sundry, and quite honestly it has taken this long for me to read some sections of it without having my jaw drop wide open. I was all set to start analyzing it but realized that there is some unfinished business that needs to be attended to. So, for those of you who missed the Overture ……….
Overture
As my blog-buddy Drew McManus has mentioned we are going to start an in-depth series on the red line contract proposal from the Minnesota Orchestra. There will be much jaw dropping and gnashing of teeth – contradictory actions I’d like to point out – but hopefully it will be enlightening for all and sundry. I realized, however, that mayhaps I should take a different approach. Namely, how about a translation of what it all means to the layperson, Mr. and Mrs. Joe and Josephine Average? Let’s start there. This blog is aimed at those of you out there who are NOT musicians. Read on.
Long Live the Queen’s Orchestra!
I’m sorry if I come off as a pessimist. That’s actually not true. I consider myself more of a realist when looking at today’s world of classical music. But I am living at Ground Zero in the orchestra debacle and it is hard to look past the ditch currently being dug in Minnesota. However, something caugh my eye recently, and I’d like to compare the situation here with the situation there – in the Queen City, my home.
Silent Fall
I hate to say I told you so, but………. I told you so. Now what?
The Boy(s and Girls) In The Bubble
It was a surreal moment – I was backstage at The Music Hall in Cincinnati for Josh Bell to come out of his dressing room so that we could go onstage and perform. We were opening the season for the Cincinnati Symphony and people were milling around, preparing for the next piece, multiple conversations happening. Suddenly someone said the words that made heads snap around and jaws hit the floor – “Chicago has just gone on strike.”
Nothing Ventured… Kicking the Habit, Part III
Those who have been long-term readers of this blog will know that I am a relentless critic of the classical music business and how it has evolved over the past 4 decades. I believe there is a lot of blame to go around for our ills and I don’t think anyone is immune from that blame. Situations like Indianapolis, Atlanta, SPCO, and Minnesota would not be possible if our field was healthy and respected throughout society. But it’s easy to throw darts at something without really committing to change. Now, it is time to put money where my mouth is – and I need your help to do it.