Slatkin renews contract with Detroit Orch.

[listener]

Detroit Symphony Orchestra music director Leonard Slatkin has signed a two-year extension to his original three-year contract, keeping the 65-year-old conductor anchored in Detroit at least through 2012-13. In a sign of how strongly Slatkin believes in his deepening bond with the orchestra, he is also taking a voluntary pay cut as the DSO struggles to restructure in the wake of the recession and a $3.8-million deficit.

Details were not released, but DSO president Anne Parsons described the cut as a "significant contribution." DSO tax forms listing Slatkin's salary are not yet available, but former music director Neeme Jarvi made about $600,000 in his final season in 2005. Recent tax forms for peer orchestras in Minnesota, Cincinnati, and Dallas show music directors making from $600,000 to $965,000.

Slatkin was expected to tell DSO players about his extension on Thursday night in Naples, Fla., where the orchestra is on tour. He has recovered from his recent heart attack.

"It's just what I have to do to protect the orchestra," said Slatkin. "It's to show the orchestra, the board and our donors that at this particular time I'm trying to be responsible, but at the same time keep the artistic integrity at the highest possible level."

The extension comes as the DSO is building to a new artistic peak under Slatkin, but financial troubles threaten to undermine the renaissance. Musicians and management are in difficult labor talks concerning concessions by the players. Meanwhile, the DSO laid off 30% of its staff last year and reduced salaries 5% to 10%.

Slatkin will continue to lead a minimum of 16 weeks of concerts, including subscription weeks, community concerts and other activities. "It's been amazing up there," Slatkin says of his time on the DSO podium. "I'm having the time of my life."

here's a link for the schedule for 2010-2011
http://freep.com/article/20100212/ENT04/2120492/Full-DSO-2010-11-schedule

[karlhenning]

Very decent of Slatkin.

[Scarpia]

I didn't realize he was still alive.  Good news.   

[Moldyoldie]

I didn't realize he was still alive.

Huh?   Why would you think otherwise?  Or are you being facetious?

Yes, he suffered a heart attack.  Yes, he's recovered.  Yes, he's still active...and recording.

[Coopmv]

I did not know he left St. Louis ...

[Moldyoldie]

I did not know he left St. Louis ...

He's since been in D.C. and Britain before landing in Motown.

[Coopmv]

He's since been in D.C. and Britain before landing in Motown.

Slatlin is among the very few American conductors I follow since he is a friend of another friend's family whom I have lost touch over the years. 

[Moldyoldie]

Slatlin is among the very few American conductors I follow since he is a friend of another friend's family whom I have lost touch over the years.

Fascinating.  Where was this friendship, Germany? UK?

[secondwind]

It actually looks like an interesting season.  Slatkin is premiering several new works, and for the rest of the program he has a mix of "warhorses" and lesser known pieces.  I wish Slatkin and the DSO well.  I have fond memories of the DSO from attending concerts when I was a high school student, and of Slatkin from his years with the NSO.  Michigan and Detroit are in such miserable financial shape that it must be a struggle to keep an orchestra afloat there now.  I'm glad he was willing to make a personal sacrifice for the cause. 

[Brian]

Judging from the spectacular Rachmaninov CD they've just produced, there is some great musicmaking ahead in Motown. I used to subscribe to the DSO in the Neeme Jarvi years, when Jarvi had had all the energy and life-force sucked out of him. His conducting was cold and dull, and he was so sick that he had to sit down in an armchair on the podium. Jarvi made sure never to interact with, or smile at, the audience. I wish I could go back in time with the musical tastes I've acquired since, because I then disliked a Tubin symphony he led there live which I would probably enjoy a good deal today, but overall, the Rach 2 Slatkin and Naxos made in Detroit is evidence of a great orchestra in full revival mode. Good for them! Here's to more years of coming back strong. 

[Moldyoldie]

....Jarvi had had all the energy and life-force sucked out of him. His conducting was cold and dull, and he was so sick that he had to sit down in an armchair on the podium.

Wow! I had no idea.  Though I didn't subscribe, the few performances I was fortunate enough to attend were quite good.  I especially remember an exhilarating Nielsen Inextinguishable and very moving Tchaikovsky Pathetique; the latter was at the semi-outdoor venue at Interlochen.

I've yet to attend a Slatkin-led affair, but heard his "opening night" Carmina Burana on radio.  The crowd loved it, and so did I.

[Brian]

very moving Tchaikovsky Pathetique; the latter was at the semi-outdoor venue at Interlochen.

Was that in the suburbs north of Detroit, and did the program also have the 1812 Overture? If so, then I was AT that concert. I was about 15 years old and it was the first time I ever heard the Tchaikovsky Pathetique!

[Moldyoldie]

Was that in the suburbs north of Detroit, and did the program also have the 1812 Overture? If so, then I was AT that concert. I was about 15 years old and it was the first time I ever heard the Tchaikovsky Pathetique!

Ah, you're thinking of Meadowbrook.  Interlochen Arts Academy is near Traverse City in northwest Lower Michigan; the DSO play there every summer.  Perhaps it was the same year, however -- I want to say around Y2K.

[Brian]

Ah, you're thinking of Meadowbrook.  Interlochen Arts Camp is near Traverse City in northwest Lower Michigan; the DSO play there every summer.  Perhaps it was the same year, however -- I want to say around Y2K.

Ah, ok, this was at Meadowbrook sometime around 2004.