Why doesn't Japan have a world class symphony orchestra?

[Lilas Pastia]

Japanese orchestras are technically excellent. But their modern instruments and halls tend to emphasize high frequencies (strings and brass in particular). The aural experience i sdistinctly sharp by western ears. Check the Bernstein NYP Shostakovich 5th. It's better than the 1959 (Carnegie Hall) version but the acoustic is synthetic (dead and larded with artificial reverb). Get the Tokyo NHK, Osaka Philharmonic or Saito Kinen to play in Symphony Hall, Boston,  the Musikverein or Concertgebouw and I trust would all have a different musical experience.

[Coopmv]

Yupe. Europeans and Americans, and actually a substantial amount of Asians as well, just not Malaysian.

Howard

p.s. Kees Bakels is an amazing conductor, well at least from the work that i have witnesses of him with the MPO. Apparently he is very highly regarded in the performing circuit, even said to be one of the best living conductors today. 

There is really nothing unusual about having members of an Asian orchestra that are Europeans or Americans.  BPO and other European and American orchestras have had Asian members for years ...

[hautbois]

There is really nothing unusual about having members of an Asian orchestra that are Europeans or Americans.  BPO and other European and American orchestras have had Asian members for years ...

Indeed, but the Malaysian Philharmonic has 5 Malaysians. Can you imagine the New York Philharmonic having 80 Malaysians?

http://www.malaysianphilharmonic.com/index.php

Still, i love the orchestra. It's the orchestra i 'grew up' with. And they are still fantastic as ever.

Howard

[greg]

Psssh, i wish I had that type of programming where I live.

[Coopmv]

Indeed, but the Malaysian Philharmonic has 5 Malaysians. Can you imagine the New York Philharmonic having 80 Malaysians?

Not sure if you meant 80 New Yorkers or 80 Americans?  NYPO must have some foreign-born members in its rank ...