The BSO made a public announcement on Wednesday of the top candidates taken from a pool of 155 applicants from nearly every state in the United States and five foreign countries.

http://www.billingsgazette.com/index.php?id=1&display=rednews/2004/03/31/build/local/15-symphony.inc

Goodbye Barnea. We hardly knew ya. A new era dawns on Billings. It will be interesting to see once the conductor is chosen, how the community responds since there were so many protests when Barnea's contract wasn't renewed.

Does anyone know what Barnea is going to do next?

So, it took two years but Billings finally announced yesterday they hired Anne Harrigan for the job.

Symphony names new music leader

Anne is wonderful--heard so many fine things about her--and we've shared an occasional email. Good luck in Billings to Anne, the new ED and the orchestra, of course.

quote:

Originally posted by Jeffrey Biegel:
Anne is wonderful--heard so many fine things about her--and we've shared an occasional email. Good luck in Billings to Anne, the new ED and the orchestra, of course.

I too wish Anne all the luck, but having worked with her in the past, find it surprising that she was even considered for this job. There are plenty of very qualified conductors out there and I find it astonishing that she was the final choice.

How you come to the conclusion that she is wonderful because you have heard so many fine things about her, almost sounds like sucking up.

I have heard many fine things about many people, but reserve judgment until working with them more than once. I made that mistake when trying to impress friends in a nameless symphony. I told them that their current conductor was one of the finest I have ever heard (which I hadn't) but in fact they all hated him. Immediately, I lost some credibility, and respect. You just can't get away with saying everyone is good all the time just like we can't say every one of our performances was "great".

Random makes an interesting point about reserving judgement until you have personally worked with the person.

I find parallels in this discussion with today's article about Joe Kluger departure in Philadelphia, specifically the part about Maestro Eschenbach.

I am only begining to realize from reading that article that the musicians are less then thrilled about having Eschenbach there. The article also alludes to the fact that he and Kluger had a good relationship so therefore how would the relationship change with the musicians once Kluger leaves?

Now, I would normally not hold in high regard the author of articles drawing these types of conclusions but Peter Dobrin at the Philadelphia Inquirer is a stalwart amoung music critics and he is very good at reading between the lines.

I have indeed heard otherwise, as I have been in the cities where she is a maestra--I NEVER offer congrats unless warranted. Not everyone is liked by everyone, though in my myriad conversations with my colleagues, I attest to the comments. I am sorry that is not the case with others. To assume I would be 'sucking up' to offer kind wishes to someone is merely unkind and disrespectful--especially in worldwide print. I have developed a respectful career and hope you might refrain from displaying otherwise. I always reserve comment on an artist or anyone for that matter, until I have had communication with them or have worked with them.

Case in point: I was a student of the great Adele Marcus--she was indeed very demanding, liked by many, and also feared by many and there were those who simply could not survive her teachings. I knew deep down she was correct about her demands, and although it made me quite down when I didn't quite reach her ideals, I knew in order for me to succeed, these demands had to be met head on. I wish to believe that those studies made me a better pianist and deeper musician. (I still hear her voice in guidance!)Surely the things we hear about people might be mixed and varied, but come on--if you have only known the good things, why can't we as human beings let them know we care about them and share in their success? That's hardly sucking up (a horrible terminology)--it's being genuine and considerate at a time when people are all too quick to knock the other down. I had hoped the musicians atleast in the business would be on that level. In 30 years, Billings too, with every other orchestra, will have new players, conductors and administration. How we are remembered now is what counts. I say: good luck to Anne Harrigan. Perhaps the Billings orchestra and community will enjoy her presence.

quote:

Originally posted by Jeffrey Biegel:
I have indeed heard otherwise, as I have been in the cities where she is a maestra--I NEVER offer congrats unless warranted.

That's my point; you've heard otherwise. I'm glad to see you're miffed by my comments, perhaps that means you have some sort of conscious about all this sucking up. And I don't think you're sucking up just by offering her "kind wishes", you're sucking up by claiming that she's "wonderful".

All one has to do is go back through the posts on this discussion board to see that you heap a pile of praise on every manager that sticks their nose in here. Based on how well they respond to it, it obviously does you good.

I can't wait for the day when soloists have to audition for the musicians in an orchestra instead of simply playing a PR game with managers.

I would encourage the management of this forum to place on ban on these highly disturbing posts--as for me, my career has been placed on solid friendships, relationships with conductors, musicians (many of my former classmates are now in these orchestras--we love the reunions!) and the respectful administrators--that is said with genuine honesty--I have performed with many orchestras around the world, and have helped many people asking for my assistance--many music directors have tenure and advancement in their careers due to our support in writing letters of recommendation etc--that's my purpose.

I would also hope that the readers on this forum have dedicated their lives to music--not to reading old posts of other writers. If readers on this forum have personal issues with conductors or administrators, they should keep them personal and not attack people who are trying to be kind to others. For shame! Kindness should not be interpreted as sucking up.

Regarding PR games: there are no games. Artists have always worked together with their colleagues in order to help the orchestras in their programming, repertoire, new commissions, etc. I kinda think it's our legacy for the future generations.

quote:

Originally posted by Jeffrey Biegel:
Regarding PR games: there are no games. Artists have always worked together with their colleagues in order to help the orchestras in their programming, repertoire, new commissions, etc. I kinda think it's our legacy for the future generations.

Do you have any idea how that sounds to the orchestra musicians who have little to no say whatsoever in their programming? Are we incapable of doing that ourselves? Are we supposed to subsidize this wisdom and guidance? Are we not "artists" too?

"Our legacy to orchestras is to help them figure out what to play" - as though the actual stakeholders in the organization aren't capable of doing so, give me a break and get over yourself.

I should have re-phrased that--not the orchestras--but the organizations. Also, there are many program committees within the organizations that program the seasons, especially outside of the US. As a performer, my only interactions have been with my conductor friends and artistic administrators that choose the concerti--if you are indeed part of the repertoire selection committees, then you surely know this. The legacy I referred to was for future pianists to have new repertoire in the 21st century--and I have personally worked very hard to create commissioning projects in this effort. Your anger is not at all necessary--the intent of the post is about Billings. Let's keep this professional.

quote:

Originally posted by Jeffrey Biegel:
Your anger is not at all necessary--the intent of the post is about Billings. Let's keep this professional.

I am merely stating that one should be careful not to make blanket complements to individuals they have never worked with. Which in my opinion is equivalent to sucking up.

I agree with you--but unfortunately, you are incorrect in your summation of my code of ethics--I should hope one day to visit with your orchestra--you will see that I am not that kind of person--I have utmost respect for my fellow artist musicians--I always say playing with orchestras is like chamber music. If I do visit, and you recognize my name, I hope you will introduce yourself, we will have friendly comments and make beautiful music.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Jeffrey Biegel,