Monthly Archives: December 2008

Just Watching

Posted on
Dec 10 2008
 by Sam Bergman

I had an interesting day at work yesterday, and I somewhat doubt that I’ll ever have another one like it. We’re playing Handel’s Messiah this week, and as is standard these days, the orchestra and chorus are both cut down … Continue reading →

Posted in inside the orchestra, philosophical musings | Comments Off

Brazen Tactics

Posted on
Dec 8 2008
 by Sam Bergman

2009 is shaping up to be one of those years at the Minnesota Legislature, and at legislatures across the country, as well. Most states are predicting massive deficits (I said most,) and since, unlike the federal government, states aren’t allowed … Continue reading →

Posted in music and politics, social activism, stirring the pot | 1 Comment

“Online” Orchestra

Posted on
Dec 6 2008
 by Sarah

I’ve often bemoaned the slow pace of change in large arts organizations, particularly in relation to 21st century media. Which was why I was both delighted and fascinated by a recent article in the New York Times about a new … Continue reading →

Posted in contemporary culture, music and technology, new music, orchestra culture, orchestras not named minnesota | Comments Off

Tuning Out The Crisis

Posted on
Dec 5 2008
 by Sam Bergman

Everywhere you turn these days, the news seems to be bad and getting worse by the hour. In the orchestra world, the most positive headline I’ve seen in weeks was from the Cleveland Orchestra, where they’ve just barely managed to … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Behavior Modification

Posted on
Dec 3 2008
 by Sam Bergman

Chicago-area violinist Holly Mulcahy has an article up over at The Partial Observer that has been making me cringe all week. The title is “How to Alienate Your Audience In 10 Easy Steps,” and it’s a full frontal assault on … Continue reading →

Posted in orchestra culture, stirring the pot | 4 Comments

Bully pulpit

Posted on
Dec 1 2008
 by Sarah

The Louisville Courier-Journal just ran a commentary/critique that reminded me of how far we’ve come in our expectations of an optimal concert experience. The gist of the article: the Louisville Symphony presented a concert with Beethoven – Prometheus, Strauss – … Continue reading →

Posted in conductors and conducting, contemporary culture, orchestras not named minnesota | 11 Comments

How To Generate Interest: Be Interesting

Posted on
Dec 1 2008
 by Sam Bergman

The fallout from the Boston/Rozhdestvensky debacle last week is continuing, in the press and the blogosphere, at least, and Boston Globe critic Jeremy Eichler advanced the conversation in what I thought was an interesting way in Sunday’s paper: The incident … Continue reading →

Posted in marketing, orchestras not named minnesota | Comments Off