Things That Make you Go “Buh?” NHMF

Thanks to an astute reader for posting a comment to yesterday’s article, pointing out an item of interest at the New Hampshire Music Festival (NHMF) website. The reader noticed that the NHMF website features a picture of Festival Director, Henry Fogel, on the home page along with a related press notice but there is no musician roster listed anywhere throughout the website. This touches on an old topic, dating all the way back to one of Adaptistration’s very first articles from 11/6/2003 titled I Go To The Symphony For Their Executive Director?… (more…)

Things That Make you Go “Buh?” Brooklyn Phil

The 4/14/2009 edition of The Brooklyn Paper published an article by Mike McLaughlin that reports composer Nathan Currier is suing the Brooklyn Philharmonic for making him cut sections of his piece, Gaian Variations, during the 2004 world premiere. According to the article, then Brooklyn Phil Executive Director, Catherine Cahill, approached Currier during the concert-length performance’s second of two intermissions to talk about overtime issues related to the work’s length… (more…)

Things That Make you Go “Buh?” NJSO

The 3/20/2009 edition of the New York Times published an article by Dan Wakin that compares and contrasts the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra’s 2008/09 and 2009/10 seasons. Of particular note is the news that the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra (NJSO) is using orchestra musicians to reduce overall guest artist expenditures. Unfortunately, the way the programming decisions are presented sends a precarious message to ticket buyers… (more…)

Things That Make you Go “Buh?” Conductors

Does anyone else notice that conductors seem to be a bit more, shall we say, “artistically tempered” than usual? A few weeks ago, Ricardo Muti made headlines when he walked away from a gig for the Queen of England because he reportedly took issue with her programming suggestions and now the Boston Globe reports that conductor Gennady Rozhdestvensky ditched a concert series with the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) because he didn’t get equal billing with soloist, Lynn Harrell. Come on people; get a tighter grip on reality… (more…)

Things That Make You Go “Buh?” Overheard At The Opera

You have to shake your head at some of things you overhear during intermission. For example, this past Friday at the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s opening night of LuLu (Marlis Petersen was fantastic), I was standing around during the first intermission minding my own business enjoying the view of the building’s grand foyer when two patrons walked up next to me and engaged in one of the most remarkable conversations I’ve overheard in some time… (more…)

Things That Make You Go “Buh?” – Columbus

Although the 2008 Orchestra Compensation Reports were a big hit this year, they meant a week without reflecting on some significant developments in the field. In particular, the Columbus Symphony Orchestra (CSO) crossed the self-imposed line in the sand for cancelling operations last Sunday, June 1^st. Since then, the organization has dismissed all but the executive staff and according to the Columbus Dispatch, CSO Board President Robert "Buzz" Trafford terminated the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with the organization’s musicians although the contract does not expire until August 31, 2008. This isn’t the first time this executive board implemented a short sighted decision but the real head-scratcher is Trafford’s comment to the Dispatch where he was quoted as saying that cancelling the CBA "has no impact on the negotiations" with musicians. Although I tend to avoid arguing with an idiot out of fear that they’ll drag me down to their level then beat me with experience, this foolish statement deserves some attention…

(more…)

Things That Make You Go “Buh?” – San Antonio

In an unanticipated announcement, the beleaguered but plucky San Antonio Symphony announced that they would not renew music director Larry Rachleff’s contract after it expires following the 2007-2008 season. Unfortunately, the reasoning behind the abrupt decision released by the orchestra’s administrative leadership only leaves more questions than answers…

(more…)

Things That Make You Go “Buh?” – California Symphony

It’s barely been two months and I’ve already come across some material for the second installment in the Things That Make You Go "Buh?" series. How would you feel if your local ABC affiliate used the following phrase to define your in-school education program [emphasis added]: "[the program] is the brainchild of maestro Barry Jekowsky who believes it’s about exposure, not excellence."…

(more…)

Things That Make You Go “Buh?” – Fort Wayne

Every now and then I read an article that reports a situation that is so absolutely baffling all I can do is think to myself "Buh?" As such, I’ve decided to start a new series of articles entitled Things That Make You Go "Buh?". The inspiration for this series stems from a well written article appearing in the 06/27/06 edition of FortWayne.com by Kevin Leininger…

(more…)