By now many readers will have read this excellent post by Bernard Holland, distinguished music critic and writer for the New York Times (assuming that the NYT, in their infinite wisdom, will not try to charge you for access). Mr. Holland, in his opus from ’03, has succinctly put forth a very elegant and reasoned argument for why orchestras in this country are going the way of the Dodo. Only one problem – he didn’t go far enough.
Day Tripper Yeah…
I have no sympathy for Philadelphia. They’re a bunch of bums, anyway.
Just When You Thought It Might Be Safe….
Or, alternatively, I could title this post “Another One Bites The Dust.” Whatever, I’m bloody tired of writing these kind of blog posts but it has to be done. Let’s talk Syracuse.
Spring Thoughts
For the record, I do not get paid to write this blog. The guy who runs this website is way too cheap for that. So occasionally I have to concentrate on my real job for a while. That does not mean I haven’t been thinking…
Binds that Untie and maybe Unite – Detroit is onto something!
My favorite ever library typo was when Purcell’s Gordion Knot Untied was listed as Gordion Knot UNITED. How easy is it to make that mistake? Seriously though it might be that easy to conceptualize that by agreeing to something that is binding might indeed unbind an acrimonious situation. What the DSO musicians are proposing proves once again that artists by nature are creative and are also the greatest of problem solvers, and whatever happens kudos should be given for creativity, bravery and at least a plan!
Bernstein – An Appreciation
The most overused word in the orchestra business is “masterpiece.” We throw it around so often that it has long since lost all meaning, and now most often serves as a code for “we promise you won’t be offended by this piece.” That having been said …
And You May Ask Yourself – How Did We Get Here?
It’s D-day. Not in Egypt, nor Bahrain, or Tunisia. It’s D-day in Detroit, and I, for one, am not optimistic.
O Little Town of Bloomington…
I need to get out of the house more. That may sound funny coming from a guy who travels for a living, but when I’m home I turn into a real home-body. Which is how I found myself grinning outrageously at some Sondheim.