Ed's talk: Jan 14, 2009

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Alec Baldwin's New Job: Voice Of The New York Philharmonic

I hope between Alec Baldwin the new "voice" of the Philharmonic, and Alan Gilbert, the new conductor, that something can be done about the creeping mediocrity that has long been characteristic of this orchestra.



A "great" orchestra for a great city should be something more than the smug, self-satisfied group of performers we have now whose, often close to sight-read, concerts were described by a previous "voice" as "love-fests" when they were nothing of the kind. (They were merely sloppy!)



The two last conductors were old men and Loren Maazel, the outgoing conductor, gave me, at least, the impression of being really doddering. Mr. Gilbert, a sort of Philharmonic "brat", both parents have played in the orchestra, sound like a rather desperate choice but we can only wish him the best.



Like our new incoming President Obama, I say he's got his work cut out for him!
Read the Article at HuffingtonPost