It's Maria Larionoff.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/12/arts/12arts-SEATTLESY...ref=arts&oref=slogin

Yes. And as Mr. Wakin (and others) point out, the announcement also stated that the other three (including myself) “will continue to lead the orchestra for selected performances” and “the model of using rotating concertmasters will continue.” Further, my understanding is that Maria will be sitting assistant during my weeks there. So......

Frank Almond

This is a quote from another article:

--When the concertmaster foursome was announced in 2007, Larionoff said she didn't want the job to herself. "I'd rather find somebody really great and inspiring, and get inspired myself. ... The concertmaster is responsible for so much. ... There's a lot of stress involved."--

Seems interesting, I don't know if I would be comfortable in her section if that was her attitude. Maybe she is a fabulous player, but saying that publicly is a bit odd. Is she implying that she is not a great and inspiring violinist? Can she handle the stress and responsibility? Probably, but really, if one doesn't have the CM attitude from the get-go, it is hard to reign in the respect.

Here's the link to the full article:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/thearts/200804695...html?syndication=rss

I don't know. It sounds to me like she was covering and trying to make the best of what could be a very difficult situation. I think that what she was saying was that she supported the direction that the orch. was going and was not feeling bitter for not getting the job in the 1st place.

quote:

Originally posted by Frank:
Yes. And as Mr. Wakin (and others) point out, the announcement also stated that the other three (including myself) “will continue to lead the orchestra for selected performances” and “the model of using rotating concertmasters will continue.” Further, my understanding is that Maria will be sitting assistant during my weeks there. So......

Frank Almond

And from the Seattle Times: "And now for the coda: Auditions for associate concertmaster will be held during the 2008-09 season."

Sounds really confusing to me. Will the multiple concert master arrangement only continue short term until a new associate cm is hired? Or is naming Maria the "official" concert master while continuing to have the other three in for selected weeks a way of adhering to the letter of the CBA (which doesn't allow "part-time" musicians)? I'll be interested to see how this all pans out over the next few seasons!

http://theafmobserver.typepad.com/abu_bratsche/2008/07/...dge-by-any.html#more

The above article says it better!

It certainly sounds like the appointment of Maria Larionoff as the "official" CM is just a paperwork thing, but the practice will for the most part continue as is.

Whatever the merits or shortfalls of this arrangement, I do take exception to the "European Model" claims. Yes, some European orchestras have multiple concertmasters (Berlin has 3, IIRC), but in those cases they are all full-fledged members of the orchestra, not guest performers as in Seattle. And if the CM role is too much for one player, which I can certainly understand, I would have to think the SSO contract would allow for the appointment of two full-time CMs.

And since it was Gerry Schwarz' idea, does anyone expect him to claim it was a failure?

Hmm interesting. Isn't her husband in the orchestra too?

I think her husband is Barry Liebermann (sp?), who teaches bass at UW.

"Isn't her husband in the orchestra too?"

This is important for what reason? Are musicians not to marry within their own orchestra, or is this not covered in their non-AF of M CBA. I love the conspiracy folks.

Oh come on are you serious ???