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In today's issue of the NY Times, there is an article about the search for a new conductor of the NYPO. The author explores many of the same questions discussed recently on this board about the modern vs the traditional approach in selecting music directors for major orchestras in the 21st Century.
- http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/15/arts/music/15tomm.html?_r=1&ref=arts&pagewanted=all (Open in New Window)
Follow Ups:
Tommasini states in this article that Kurt Masur was too conservative, "afraid to take risks" and a "misty-eyed" traditionalist. During his 12 year tenure as conductor/music director of the NYP, Masur commissioned and premiered several new and innovative compositions, including the Wynton Marsalis Jazz Symphony, "All Rise".Besides the 1999 premiere with the NYP, Masur has conducted the Marsalis Jazz Symphony on at least four other occasions, in London, Paris, Tanglewood and Boston, and received enthusiastic reviews. This was, and is, a very challenging and risky undertaking, lasting over two hours with a full symphony orchestra and the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, plus soloists and chorus. Not too many traditionalist conductors would attempt such a modern work. So far, only Esa-Pekka Solonen with the LAP has recorded it.
When he first approached Marsalis about composing a jazz symphony, Kurt Masur told him about his life-long admiration of the compositions of Duke Ellington and Stan Kenton, and wanted him to produce something similar in symphonic form - hardly the mind-set of a "misty-eyed" traditionalist.
made the NYPO sound cohesive, a feat thought by many to be impossible.
Coincidentally, Bill Maher talked about this, this weekend on on his show.Tommasini says: "In recent decades even some great conductors driven by lofty artistic principles have unwittingly contributed to the perception that orchestras are elitist."
If that means that a certainly level of sophistication/education are required to appreciate the music, is that a bad thing? Tommasini seems to be implying, whether intended or not, that orchestras need to dumb themselves down to the lowest common denominator. Wy does he think everyone needs to be able to 'get' classical music?
If the La Scala incident has humbled Muti, and he's wiling to treat such an appointment as his full time job, he'll be a terrific music director.
Good article... thanks for sharing it.
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