Interesting Marin Alsop documentary on PBS

[relm1]

Did anyone else catch Great Performances (PBS) last Friday, March 25?  There was a 90 minute documentary on Marin Alsop that I thought was quite interesting.

Here is the full episode: https://www.pbs.org/video/great-performances-the-conductor-j8jwaq/

They made a great case for just how difficult it was for her to become the first woman conductor of a major US orchestra.  I have even more respect for her after seeing this and struggle she faced constantly being rejected from schools for no reason other than gender.  I've performed with her several times and found her inspiring but love her even more now.

[Brahmsian]

Did anyone else catch Great Performances (PBS) last Friday, March 25?  There was a 90 minute documentary on Marin Alsop that I thought was quite interesting.

Here is the full episode: https://www.pbs.org/video/great-performances-the-conductor-j8jwaq/

They made a great case for just how difficult it was for her to become the first woman conductor of a major US orchestra.  I have even more respect for her after seeing this and struggle she faced constantly being rejected from schools for no reason other than gender.  I've performed with her several times and found her inspiring but love her even more now.

Thanks for the reminder. I meant to record this. I'll have to wait until it repeats.

[Mirror Image]

I'm more interested in the musical merits of a conductor than watching a documentary about their struggle to get recognized. I know it's difficult for a female conductor to get the kind of recognition as a Bernstein or Karajan, but, at the end of the day, it's what she brings to the podium that is more important than her gender. I would say that in today's current classical music environment, it's even more difficult to get any kind of recognition. The market is so saturated with "up-and-coming talents" and so forth. Anyway, I'm not trying to be negative about Alsop for whom I have great respect as an artist, but I do have to wonder why we can't have a more gratifying portrait of an artist rather than making her gender the main talking point.

[DavidW]

I've performed with her several times and found her inspiring but love her even more now.

Wow!  All I can say is that I've listened to many of her recordings, she is a phenomenal conductor.

[relm1]

Wow!  All I can say is that I've listened to many of her recordings, she is a phenomenal conductor.

Wonderful experience and she LOVED low brass power. 

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

Haven't watched the documentary, but I'm glad to have her in charge of Ravinia right now. Who knows, maybe she can take over the CSO top job when Muti finishes?

[Mirror Image]

Haven't watched the documentary, but I'm glad to have her in charge of Ravinia right now. Who knows, maybe she can take over the CSO top job when Muti finishes?

If she takes over for Muti, I'd be rather surprised. I don't think it'll happen, but I hope I'm proven wrong. If this does indeed happen, prepare for some OUTSTANDING repertoire to come your way in Chicago. I always admired her need to champion the byways of what we know now as the standard repertoire.

[Karl Henning]

Haven't watched the documentary, but I'm glad to have her in charge of Ravinia right now. Who knows, maybe she can take over the CSO top job when Muti finishes?

I, for one, think she deserves it.