Post by msf22b on Mar 11, 2015 18:33:42 GMT -5
In today's NY Times, there was a discussion regarding who should be the next music director of the Philharmonic.
A consensus formed around the appointment of Esa-Pekka Salonen.
I (rudely) took issue with that recommendation in a piece I am unduly proud of; to wit:
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Michael Feldman St. Johnsbury Vt 19 minutes ago
In pursuing the timely piece there seems to be a tidal wave of support for Esa-Pekka. May I put the brakes on the march to this coronation?
He is a brilliant musician, a renaissance man, charming, handsome and personable. But when it comes to conducting the classics both for the orchestra and indeed the audience, it is a near death experience. Just ask the musicians of the LA Phil.
A retired principal with a acknowledged sharp wit stated recently that he hadn't heard a phrase in the 10-years since Salonen arrived. I recall attending a rehearsal of Firebird in LA and the opening bass passage was played in a completely unaffected manner that seemed bizarre to me.
Salonen's approach to music-making most closely resembles that of Boulez and I'm sure many can recall how that turned out.
Unfortunately, my advice is somewhat diluted by the decade (or more) that I have been removed from the scene; for example, I can't comment on David or Marin's recent work.
But I have seen and heard Pablo Heras-Casado on several occasions and he strikes me as the most brilliant conductor I've come across in decades; the technical acumen of Maazel with a sense of musicianship to match. Combine that with a strong association with the latest trends in contemporary idioms. He is perhaps a little young but from a purely conductorial viewpoint, I doubt if there is anyone nearly as masterful.
A consensus formed around the appointment of Esa-Pekka Salonen.
I (rudely) took issue with that recommendation in a piece I am unduly proud of; to wit:
_________________________________
Michael Feldman St. Johnsbury Vt 19 minutes ago
In pursuing the timely piece there seems to be a tidal wave of support for Esa-Pekka. May I put the brakes on the march to this coronation?
He is a brilliant musician, a renaissance man, charming, handsome and personable. But when it comes to conducting the classics both for the orchestra and indeed the audience, it is a near death experience. Just ask the musicians of the LA Phil.
A retired principal with a acknowledged sharp wit stated recently that he hadn't heard a phrase in the 10-years since Salonen arrived. I recall attending a rehearsal of Firebird in LA and the opening bass passage was played in a completely unaffected manner that seemed bizarre to me.
Salonen's approach to music-making most closely resembles that of Boulez and I'm sure many can recall how that turned out.
Unfortunately, my advice is somewhat diluted by the decade (or more) that I have been removed from the scene; for example, I can't comment on David or Marin's recent work.
But I have seen and heard Pablo Heras-Casado on several occasions and he strikes me as the most brilliant conductor I've come across in decades; the technical acumen of Maazel with a sense of musicianship to match. Combine that with a strong association with the latest trends in contemporary idioms. He is perhaps a little young but from a purely conductorial viewpoint, I doubt if there is anyone nearly as masterful.