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A few years ago conductor Leonard Slatkin stated that John Williams had saved the orchestra. Why? Because at a time when Broadway shows were moving more and more toward the use of synthesizers and recorded music, Williams was writing film scores for large orchestras. Slatkin maintained that producers (and audiences) having Williams’ sounds in their […]

…although not for insider note trading, which is not yet illegal. Addressing the annual meeting of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association on Wednesday, [Riccardo Muti] revealed several initiatives he has planned with the orchestra once he settles into his new post in September 2010. And one of them involves at-risk youth. The most innovative is […]

Nazism was such an evil phenomenon that attributing any positive effects at all to its influence feels morally reckless. But a story like this is a reminder of how much vitality was brought to the classical music scene in North America by Jewish musicians who left Europe to escape war and genocide: A conversation with […]

I generally enjoy playing (and even listening to) Rachmaninoff – but I usually don’t respect myself the next morning for having done so. This week, though, might be different. We’re doing the Rachmaninoff third concerto (“Rock 3”, in tribal parlance) and the second symphony. I’m finding it makes a huge difference in how interesting Rachmaninoff […]

My favorite headline of all time was “Something went wrong in jet crash, experts say.” The headline and article below, while not reaching quite that level of sublime obviousness, is still strikingly… obvious: Economy took toll on symphony’s artistically bright year The economy has been playing the role of Scrooge, causing the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra’s […]

When we started the Polyphonic blog we said we’d have guest bloggers from time to time.  Well, the time is now.  For one week, beginning next Monday, October 19, Yvonne Caruthers will share some musical observations on our blog. Yvonne has been a cellist with the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington DC since 1978, and […]

If only the folks at the record companies had the marketing chops of whoever put together this little campaign:

In the wake of the well-publicized downsizing of its guest artist roster for the 2009-10 season, the Minnesota Orchestra is going local to replace its principal pops conductor as well: The Minnesota Orchestra has named Sarah Hicks as principal conductor of pops and presentations, filling a vacancy left when Doc Severinsen retired two years ago. […]

Due largely to the appointment of Allison Vulgamore as President and CEO of the Philadelphia Orchestra, manager compensation is currently enjoying its 15 minutes of fame (although I doubt whether she is enjoying the spotlight on her current and future paystubs). The Philadelphia Inquirer has speculated on the subject, as has the New York Times, […]

In the music world there will always be someone who is willing to do something more cheaply than you.  Students are typically in this category.  Look at the music scene around any music school.  Students will be playing for their dinner, or coffee if it’s a coffee house or for the door.  Musicians are eager […]