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!

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A Tale Of Two Cities Redux

“Snowmageddon.”  “Snownami.” Metrodome collapsing.  For a Buffalo boy this is all rather unimpressive.  But lost in all this was some interesting news out of St. Paul.  Was it good news? Ya, you betcha!

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Taxman

All I want for Christmas is The Beatles – complete.  Since I have been waiting all these years for that to pop up on iTunes I get the feeling that if I’m really, really nice between now and 25 December the Fat Man might squeeze down my new chimney and provide me with the goods.  Which, of course, got me thinking about the Detroit Symphony.

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“You May Ask Yourself – How Did We Get Here?”

I meant to write a blog about the need for like-minded progressive people associated with the classical music industry to get together online and start a forum dedicated to revolutionizing our business, but then reality set in.  I also got into a great conversation with a colleague of mine at a party recently.  So, once again, this blog is about Detroit.  The $64K question – “where’s the plan, man?”

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The Whole World Is Watching…

Chicago Transit Authority. Anyone remember that album?  One of the greatest debut albums of all time, right up to the track Somebody (August 29, 1968). Then it veers from a great album into tremendous social commentary with the chant  “The Whole World Is Watching.” That was over 40 years ago, and perhaps we should remember that it’s even more relevant today than it was then.

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Would the “River Run Through It” without an Orchestra?

What is really frustrating about the angst in our industry is the lack of creativity in the arguments we make for why an Orchestra is important.  I put a heavy focus on why an Orchestra is important to its own community which is a firm belief that I have, but it seems that there might be a global crisis in confidence with the answer bandied about the most often being the dreaded “shrinkage” (what would we do without Seinfeld) that needs to occur.  So for those commenting negatively about the Detroit Symphony, let me ask you this: What would Star Wars be like if the soundtrack only had a Synthesizer playing?…..

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