As my blog-buddy Drew McManus has mentioned we are going to start an in-depth series on the red line contract proposal from the Minnesota Orchestra. There will be much jaw dropping and gnashing of teeth – contradictory actions I’d like to point out – but hopefully it will be enlightening for all and sundry. I realized, however, that mayhaps I should take a different approach. Namely, how about a translation of what it all means to the layperson, Mr. and Mrs. Joe and Josephine Average? Let’s start there. This blog is aimed at those of you out there who are NOT musicians. Read on.
Minnesota Orchestra
Long Live the Queen’s Orchestra!
I’m sorry if I come off as a pessimist. That’s actually not true. I consider myself more of a realist when looking at today’s world of classical music. But I am living at Ground Zero in the orchestra debacle and it is hard to look past the ditch currently being dug in Minnesota. However, something caugh my eye recently, and I’d like to compare the situation here with the situation there – in the Queen City, my home.
Silent Fall
I hate to say I told you so, but………. I told you so. Now what?
Quick Takes: Irreplaceable? Turn up the Music and Turn off the Noise!
There is a free fall happening that is hard to get our collective heads around, and the infighting going on in orchestras is shutting out the most valuable and viable of voices, the audience. Whether it’s a lockout (Indy), a force in (Jacksonville), a bankruptcy or a strike, the “why can’t we all just get along” cliche is actually appropriate for a very specific reason….
The Sinking of the Minnesota
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.
Quick Takes: The Gold Medal for the greatest Orchestra goes to…..
Another attempt to pit Orchestras against each other in an unofficial “Olympics” at Carnegie is a real head scratcher. What is the prize, who actually cares and what is the point? Thankfully Alex Ross provides some sanity but what is interesting is how Orchestras making the Carnegie pilgrimage seem to think it is a magic bullet to spur ticket sales back at home……