We are not going to admit it are we? Why is it that writers constantly try to put a positive spin on the negative by proclaiming it’s simply an emotional response that prevents people from attending a Symphony concert or an arts event, basically saying it’s their fault. This time it’s fear, yes people are fearful, scardey cats, wobbly need at the thought of an audience member shooting them a dirty look if you applaud inthe wrong place. Give me a break, if 98% of a city is not into you, it can’t be just fear. I mean it is not as if they are being asked to bungee jump (although you should see how high the balcony is in our hall)…..
Future Shock…
This is the first in a series of postings about one musician’s desire to bring Classical Music back to the People, by whatever means necessary…
Are you depressed yet? It seems like every time you turn around there is another article about this orchestra cutting costs, that orchestra cutting concerts, the other orchestra in the red, etc. It’s pretty depressing, not least of which because there are a lot of musicians out there who are trying to make a living, and their main source of income is threatened. Let us hope that these institutions make it through these trying times. But here’s the question: how is the classical music business like the economy in general, and what can we do for the future?
It’s Official – We are the #1 Orchestra in all of….
Springfield Missouri! I don’t know how Gramophone Magazine missed us, obviously they are biased by not mentioning us in their top 20 orchestras of the world issue! PLEASE, what is the point of doing this except to p@#% off people? The truth is, the arguments wont rage, and no one is relocating from the city with the #2 orchestra to the city with the #1 orchestra (although it is in Amsterdam and there are some benefits)…..are they?….
A Flat Brew…..
My class is winding up soon, I will miss this group. The students bring articles and blog posts to discuss each class and Amanda brought one about the Night Shift Series put on by the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment which takes place late at night, where drinking beer is allowed and encouraged (musicians don’t get too excited)….if you’re in the audience……
Waving the Magic Wand
A pop survey –
- What is the most common gripe among orchestra players?
In my experience it’s “Boy, this conductor sucks!” I have heard it from several angles, including from inside the orchestra (I spent many years playing Orchestral Keyboards, probably the performance opportunity I miss most with having a conducting career) and from when I’m on the podium (word of advice to young conductors – just because you hear something that doesn’t mean you have to listen to it; you are out there to do job and you have to have a thick skin). And speaking of young conductors –
Junichi and the sad truth….
Both Bill and Drew have Junichi’s so called departure well covered. The legacy he has left behind is a future for the orchestra. His speaking out and standing with the musicians, essentially throwing himself under the proverbial bus, was the catalyst for no acceptance for a reduction in Orchestra personnel. This means that that they do not have start completely over artistically. Much damage has been done but the foundation remains, and I credit Junichi in large part for that. There is a sad truth to what will probably happen next, and I have a challenge for the CSO and their next Music Director (who will have many challenges that is for certain!)…..
Caveat Emptor!!!
Conductors are like reverse ostriches. We are constantly popping our heads up out of the sand, looking around, and trying to determine what orchestras are coming available, who’s looking for a new Music Director. We want that next job, the next claim to fame, etc. Buried deep on the New York Times website I noticed a little ditty. It seems that an orchestra that I am familiar with is parting ways with their M.D. Perhaps I should…….
The People Business….
I am embroiled in rehearsals for Mahler 5 and was not going to write till later in the week, but something jumped out at me over on Greg Sandow’s blog that I could not let pass by. The talk of free concerts for the community have been the subject of his last two post,s and most of the comments coming back to him make me think that people still believe we are in the music business. We are not, we are in the people business!….