Topic: The CSO and its Sick Conductors

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

Physically sick, I mean.

I was sooooo looking forward to next month's program, with Boulez conducting a number of scintillating works, including Messiaen's rarely performed Chronochromie. Having bought tickets already, I check out a local classical site and find that Boulez has cancelled all his performances on doctor's advice:

http://chicagoclassicalreview.com/2013/02/boulez-cancels-cso-march-dates-macelaru-and-fisch-return/

This, after cancelling his appearances last year too. To further dampen my enthusiasm, the Messiaen has been replaced by Bartok's Divertimento. Fine piece in its own right, but c'mon.

All this occurs while Muti has himself been cancelling half his appearances due to various illnesses and operations, both last season and this.

Message to CSO management: Find some healthy conductors. I mean, I love Boulez, but he can't go on forever. Scout some young talent, folks.

Until things change, I think I'll just stay home with my stereo, or go to the free concerts in Grant Park.

[OrchestralNut]

That is unfortunate. 

I was disappointed too last season, when Maxim Shostakovich was supposed to come to Winnipeg as a guest conductor, to conduct his father's 9th symphony.  He was sick and could not make the concert.

[k a rl h e nn i ng]

That's the wrong way to follow Boston's example....

[TheGSMoeller]

Bummer, Velimir 

In other CSO news, perhaps because he's sick not sure, but Dale Clevenger is retiring after 40 years as Principal Horn.

[Todd]

It's not always old guys who cancel.  A year or two ago, I was most excited to hear Yefim Bronfman play Brahms' First PC.  Alas, he cancelled.  In his place was a young no-name Russian woman who didn't really deliver.  There were some passages where I could see her fingers playing the notes, but I could not hear them - and I was in the front row.

[Cato]

Physically sick, I mean.

I was sooooo looking forward to next month's program, with Boulez conducting a number of scintillating works, including Messiaen's rarely performed Chronochromie.

As an alternative:

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

As an alternative:

Yeah, I've got that one already.

It's not always old guys who cancel.  A year or two ago, I was most excited to hear Yefim Bronfman play Brahms' First PC.  Alas, he cancelled.

Great, now I just gotta hope that Bronfman (scheduled for the same concert as Boulez) doesn't cancel!

Dale Clevenger is retiring after 40 years as Principal Horn.

Thank God for that - he's been clamming like crazy lately. 

[Mirror Image]

What the hell is wrong with the CSO? Can't they appoint conductors that will actually show up? They need to dump Muti and Boulez big time. I like Muti and Boulez, but come on! Okay, rant over.

[MishaK]

Correction:

In other CSO news, perhaps because he's sick not sure old, but Dale Clevenger is retiring after 40 47 years as Principal Horn.

What the hell is wrong with the CSO? Can't they appoint conductors that will actually show up? They need to dump Muti and Boulez big time. I like Muti and Boulez, but come on! Okay, rant over.

Hey now. No comments on Muti, but given Boulez's age that can be expected. We cherish every one of his appearances that we can get and we certainly won't dump him!

Scout some young talent, folks.

They do. Hence the short notice young substitutes that were available.    We've had a few of those in recent years who subbed unexpectedly and worked out well: Morlot, van Zweden come to mind.

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

They do. Hence the short notice young substitutes that were available.    We've had a few of those in recent years who subbed unexpectedly and worked out well: Morlot, van Zweden come to mind.

For sure. What I really mean is, I would like to see them invest in an MD and principal guest (rather than random young guest conductors) who are likely to show up for most of their scheduled dates.

As it stands, I'm now going to avoid buying tickets to any Boulez or Muti appearances, because a 30%-50% chance that they will actually be there is too low.

[Brian]

They do. Hence the short notice young substitutes that were available.    We've had a few of those in recent years who subbed unexpectedly and worked out well: Morlot, van Zweden come to mind.

This makes me wonder: are there conductors who intentionally leave weekends open so that they can substitute wherever they're needed?

[Mirror Image]

Hey now. No comments on Muti, but given Boulez's age that can be expected. We cherish every one of his appearances that we can get and we certainly won't dump him!

MishaK, given Boulez's age, he needs to hang it up. Seriously. I love the man's conducting, but CSO needs to get some younger folks on the podium. When your conductors become more of a liability than anything else, it's time to move on and find someone else.

[Cato]

Leopold Stokowski was fairly active into his early 90's: I do not know how often he may have canceled a performance.

Everyone's health is different: if Boulez is regularly infirm, then he should not accept engagements to conduct.

[TheGSMoeller]

Solti was wicked-sick when he conducted the CSO.

[MishaK]

MishaK, given Boulez's age, he needs to hang it up. Seriously. I love the man's conducting, but CSO needs to get some younger folks on the podium. When your conductors become more of a liability than anything else, it's time to move on and find someone else.

I'm all for picking young MDs and guest conductors (I was against Muti from the start and he hasn't really impressed me since, absences or not), but I have to vehemently disagree with you on Boulez. His last few appearances were pure gold *and* he actually subbed for Muti last season when the latter cancelled (did Mahler 7 in place of Cherubini Requiem). I will happily forgive Boulez the odd cancellation, if the few performances he does conduct are on the level of the last few, and I certainly hope that this wasn't the last we've seen of him in Chicago!

[MishaK]

Solti was wicked-sick when he conducted the CSO.

And Solti conducted actively right up until he unexpectedly kicked the bucket, just short of his 85th birthday!

[Superhorn]

   Boulez is currently having problems with his eyes ; otherwise his health is good .