U.S. Conductors Banking Over 2 Million...

[Greta]

Are Lorin Maazel and Daniel Barenboim, according to the latest figures released, from the 2004-2005 season. Saw this at RMCR.

This Chicago Tribune article lists all who topped $1 million for that season as:

Lorin Maazel, NY Phil, $2,638,940
Daniel Barenboim, CSO, $2,044,679
Michael Tilson Thomas, SFS, $1,636,218
James Levine, BSO, $1,592,000
Christoph Eschenbach, Philadelphia, $1,546,000
Esa-Pekka Salonen, LA Phil, $1,339,500
Franz Welser-Most, Cleveland, $1,232,515

Interesting. Gosh, $2.6 million is a lot of money. I wonder what the European top guys make, like Rattle in Berlin, Gergiev (LSO), and Jansons (RCO).

[hornteacher]

Interesting. Gosh, $2.6 million is a lot of money

Maybe he does baton commercials.......

[Bonehelm]

They deserve it.

[The new erato]

They deserve it.

Thinking about what the composers whose music they play, usually earned, what orchestral musicians earn, and the problems of the business they are in, including dwindling and aging audiences, I find that debatable at best.

[M forever]

Interesting. Gosh, $2.6 million is a lot of money. I wonder what the European top guys make, like Rattle in Berlin, Gergiev (LSO), and Jansons (RCO).

Far less than that. I think Rattle makes around $1m with the BP, and Barenboim makes around roughly the same at the Staatsoper, or used to. Maybe he makes less now because I understand he is less involved with the opera now, only artistically, but not in an administrative function anymore. Levine also took home about that much from his job with the MP, and allegedly, Maazel even made just under $3m when he headed the SOBR. At least that's what I read somewhere. That's not really representative though. They just have too much money in general in Munich.

I think the 1m Rattle and Barenboim make in Berlin are pretty much the best paid positions in Europe. Generally, they make far less than MDs of American orchestras.

[71 dB]

They deserve it.

I don't think so. 1/10 maybe...

[Greta]

Which begs the question, are U.S. MDs overpaid? Can their orchestras really afford these huge salaries? Or maybe European MDs are underpaid.

Is it also to acknowledge that in America, MDs are expected to take on a larger role of fundraising and representing in the community, a whole lot of "extra" activities?

[mahlertitan]

it's pitiful really, consider the top stars of pop music makes at least 10 times more than they make combined.

[The new erato]

it's pitiful really, consider the top stars of pop music makes at least 10 times more than they make combined.

That people earn lot of money by flogging schmock (or heroine for that matter) has no relevance on this discussion. Thinking like that, Mother Thereaa should be richer than Bill Gates, which may well be the truth, but which again has no relevance.

[mahlertitan]

That people earn lot of money by flogging schmock (or heroine for that matter) has no relevance on this discussion. Thinking like that, Mother Thereaa should be richer than Bill Gates, which may well be the truth, but which again has no relevance.

I can just as well argue that this Thread has absolute no relevance to "General Classical Music Discussion". Shouldn't it be moved?

[The new erato]

I can just as well argue that this Thread has absolute no relevance to "General Classical Music Discussion". Shouldn't it be moved?

Probably yes.

[Don]

Hundreds of athletes each make millions per annum.  Same goes for pop stars and CEO's.  So I don't begrudge those classical artists who are able to reap large sums of money.  I think this is a topic without substance.

[mahlertitan]

Hundreds of athletes each make millions per annum.  Same goes for pop stars and CEO's.  So I don't begrudge those classical artists who are able to reap large sums of money.  I think this is a topic without substance.

it's all economics...

[Don]

it's all economics...

Correct - it's just the market doing its thing, and the market often doesn't equate value with compensation.

[uffeviking]

Reading the book by Norman Lebrecht The Maestro Myth will answer most of the questions asked here and no matter how much you dislike the author, he does seem to know what he is talking about. 

[MishaK]

Are Lorin Maazel and Daniel Barenboim, according to the latest figures released, from the 2004-2005 season. Saw this at RMCR.

This Chicago Tribune article lists all who topped $1 million for that season as:

Lorin Maazel, NY Phil, $2,638,940
Daniel Barenboim, CSO, $2,044,679
Michael Tilson Thomas, SFS, $1,636,218
James Levine, BSO, $1,592,000
Christoph Eschenbach, Philadelphia, $1,546,000
Esa-Pekka Salonen, LA Phil, $1,339,500
Franz Welser-Most, Cleveland, $1,232,515

Interesting. Gosh, $2.6 million is a lot of money. I wonder what the European top guys make, like Rattle in Berlin, Gergiev (LSO), and Jansons (RCO).

Note that in Barenboim's case this also includes appearances as soloist, of which there usually were many each season.

[greg]

Maybe he does baton commercials.......

no, i think they all do shoe commercials......

[paul]

You forgot about James Levine's other job at the Metropolitan Opera. He's banking in $3.5m. http://www.boston.com/news/globe/living/articles/2006/07/25/levine_is_top_paid_conductor_in_us/

[karlhenning]

Correct - it's just the market doing its thing, and the market often doesn't equate value with compensation.

Word.