Great orchestras are like great ships of the line. They cruise regally above the waves, guns/brass blaring, a mighty vision of sight and sound to all who bear witness. But it’s below decks where trouble starts, and no amount of noise on deck can stop a leaking hull.
Tag Archives | Current Events
NEC Races For A Cure
The last couple of weeks has given us an interesting contrast in crisis management. We have seen two institutions make missteps that have significantly enraged their constituencies, and once the backlash turned into a frontlash (so to speak) these situations have been managed in polar opposite ways. It’s a pity that the music world continues [...]
The 2011 Report Card
Good Morning! It’s time for the Year in Review, where orchestras that were in the news in 2011 receive their year-end grades from SticksandDrones. In the Biz we would call them “Mid-Term Juries,” and I’m sure that expression just put a shiver up the spine of the two musicians who actually read this blog. [...]
Flogging the Wrong Horse
It has been an interesting couple of weeks on the orchestral front. New ED in Colorado, pissing match between a top soloist and a top conductor. Oh, and an orchestra that has lost it’s mind. Same as it ever was.
Thus Thought Zarathustra….
It’s time to get up on my high horse again. This time I’m inspired by an article on Sir Colin Davis, and a very particular idea at the front of it.
WWJD?
It was near the end of the first set, one of three scheduled for that night, when it happened. The band launched into their next chart and we heard the unmistakable strains of Stravinsky’s Firebird, several audience members around me shouted “YES!!!,” and my wife broke into a broad grin. I looked on stage at [...]
R – E – S – P – E – C – T!!!
It has been an interesting couple of weeks on the orchestral front, and not necessarily for good reasons. One thing is for sure – if there are any knee replacement specialists in the Denver area they are about to make a killing.
But Nigel, This One Goes to 11 …
I was trolling through The Internets yesterday and stumbled upon a little controversy brewing in the world of classical violinistry. I’m shocked (shocked!) that it hasn’t already kicked the economic crisis off of the front page of the New York Times so I thought I’d give it a little boost. This one, as they say, [...]
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James: I have heard many on the political right say that ...
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Bill Eddins: Thanks for your note. I shall concede your point ...
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Sean M: Great post! I agree that we need to make Classical...
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Janet: I'm tempted to say I've lost all respect for you...
