Levine withdraws from Tanglewood

[Joe Barron]

I am still planning  to drive to Tanglewood on the 20th. I'm wondering who will replace Levine in conducting Carter. Perhaps Knussen, who is already scheduled to lead a few performances.

(NECN) - Boston Symphony Orchestra Music Director James Levine says he will leave the BSO for the balance of the 2008 summer concert season to have kidney surgery. Levine will undergo surgery this week to have the kidney removed, because of a cyst that is causing him discomfort.

"It is extremely frustrating that I need to have this surgery now," said Levine in a statement. "My projects at Tanglewood have been planned so carefully and coordinated in such detail by the Festival administration. I especially regret not being here with Elliott Carter for his 100th birthday celebration, which I was looking forward to more than I can say. And I'm very disappointed at having to miss concerts with my colleagues in the BSO, as well as my work with the young musicians of the Tanglewood Music Center."

The anticipated recuperation period is six weeks -leaving ample time to prepare and conduct the season openings of the BSO and the Metropolitan Opera in September.

The 2008 Tanglewood concert schedule, which offers 67 ticketed performances between now and Labor Day will not be affected. The BSO says a series of guest conductors will replace Levine.

[karlhenning]

Knussen would be an outstanding substitute.

[bhodges]

What a shame...and on the same day as the glowing reviews for Levine leading Les Troyens.  And the Carter celebration promised to bring out his best. 

I agree, Knussen would be a good substitute, if he's available. 

--Bruce

[karlhenning]

What a shame...and on the same day as the glowing reviews for Levine leading Les Troyens.  And the Carter celebration promised to bring out his best.

Not to be an utter wet blanket . . . realistically, considering what a busy schedule Levine keeps, there's no really "good" time for him to take six weeks' medical leave;  yet, he's got to take care of himself.

[(poco) Sforzando]

Not to be an utter wet blanket . . . realistically, considering what a busy schedule Levine keeps, there's no really "good" time for him to take six weeks' medical leave;  yet, he's got to take care of himself.

Actually, this is the best time to him to do this, rather than the fall when he's shuttling back and forth between Boston and NY.

[MahlerSnob]

I was very sad to get an email from the BSO about this today. It is very unfortunate that he has to withdraw from the rest of the Tanglewood season, particularly for my friends and colleagues who were looking forward to performing Eugene Onegin with him at the end of the month. Knussen is almost certainly the replacement for most of the Carter concerts and the TMC fellows and BSO assistant conductors will probably pick up the slack with the other TMC concerts. What will be interesting to see is who replaces Levine for the remaining BSO concerts he was scheduled to conduct and for the production of Mahagonny in August.
On the other hand, last time Levine took a forced sabbatical he came back looking healthier and more energetic than he had in years. Lately Levine has been looking great - I was in the chorus for Les Troyens last weekend - and has been practically bursting with energy. The Brahms Requiem he'll be opening the BSO winter season with should be a real treat after this break.

[scarpia]

I was very sad to get an email from the BSO about this today. It is very unfortunate that he has to withdraw from the rest of the Tanglewood season, particularly for my friends and colleagues who were looking forward to performing Eugene Onegin with him at the end of the month. Knussen is almost certainly the replacement for most of the Carter concerts and the TMC fellows and BSO assistant conductors will probably pick up the slack with the other TMC concerts. What will be interesting to see is who replaces Levine for the remaining BSO concerts he was scheduled to conduct and for the production of Mahagonny in August.
On the other hand, last time Levine took a forced sabbatical he came back looking healthier and more energetic than he had in years. Lately Levine has been looking great - I was in the chorus for Les Troyens last weekend - and has been practically bursting with energy. The Brahms Requiem he'll be opening the BSO winter season with should be a real treat after this break.

Depends on what passes for bursting with energy.  There was a photo of him conducting the Berlioz at Tanglewood in the New York Times and to me it looked like he was slumping out of his chair.

[(poco) Sforzando]

Depends on what passes for bursting with energy.  There was a photo of him conducting the Berlioz at Tanglewood in the New York Times and to me it looked like he was slumping out of his chair.

Having attended performances at the Met for over 30 years, as well as a lot of the Met Orchestra's Carnegie Hall concerts, I am pretty sure Levine is the living conductor I have heard most often. I do think increasing weight and lessened mobility have taken their toll on him. He was never to my mind the most nuanced conductor, but in his earlier career he usually could be counted on for honest, no-nonsense performances of his repertory, and I especially admire his uncompromising championship of difficult modern music. (He was brave enough to program the premiere of Milton Babbitt's 2nd piano concerto at a Carnegie concert, and you shoulda heard all the boos.)

Lately, though, his performances in my opinion have varied from pretty exciting to nearly soporific. I found a recent Brahms 3 so slow as to be unbearable, and in his most recent Ring Cycle at the Met I sometimes wondered if still he had a pulse. But he's very good in the Berg operas as well as Moses und Aron, and he surprised me utterly with his alert and vigorous approach to Gluck's Orfeo last year. He also did quite well a few months ago with the Ives Three Places in NE and the Carter Symphonia - a much more interesting performance than on the Knussen recording.

[scarpia]

Having attended performances at the Met for over 30 years, as well as a lot of the Met Orchestra's Carnegie Hall concerts, I am pretty sure Levine is the living conductor I have heard most often. I do think increasing weight and lessened mobility have taken their toll on him. He was never to my mind the most nuanced conductor, but in his earlier career he usually could be counted on for honest, no-nonsense performances of his repertory, and I especially admire his uncompromising championship of difficult modern music. (He was brave enough to program the premiere of Milton Babbitt's 2nd piano concerto at a Carnegie concert, and you shoulda heard all the boos.)

Lately, though, his performances in my opinion have varied from pretty exciting to nearly soporific. I found a recent Brahms 3 so slow as to be unbearable, and in his most recent Ring Cycle at the Met I sometimes wondered if still he had a pulse. But he's very good in the Berg operas as well as Moses und Aron, and he surprised me utterly with his alert and vigorous approach to Gluck's Orfeo last year. He also did quite well a few months ago with the Ives Three Places in NE and the Carter Symphonia - a much more interesting performance than on the Knussen recording.

I think he was awesome in the good old days, when he could still stand in the pit.   

[karlhenning]

Actually, this is the best time to him to do this, rather than the fall when he's shuttling back and forth between Boston and NY.

Yes; no really 'good' time, but this is probably as good as any.

[Joe Barron]

He also did quite well a few months ago with the Ives Three Places in NE and the Carter Symphonia - a much more interesting performance than on the Knussen recording.

And with a student orchestra! Sfz, were you there? BruceH and I were, too.

[(poco) Sforzando]

And with a student orchestra! Sfz, were you there? BruceH and I were, too.

That Juilliard Orchestra was the equal of any professional group, and absolutely fearless.

[karlhenning]

I am sure it was a signally memorable performance.

Just incidentally, though, I don't think the Knussen recording lacks for interest.

[karlhenning]

Separately:

Levine Endorses Pilates

[MahlerSnob]

Depends on what passes for bursting with energy.  There was a photo of him conducting the Berlioz at Tanglewood in the New York Times and to me it looked like he was slumping out of his chair.

You're going to argue with my assement of Levine's recent conducting because of a photograph? Really? I was on stage at the time that photo was taken. Take my word that he has gradually become more energetic over the past year.

[karlhenning]

You're going to argue with my assement of Levine's recent conducting because of a photograph? Really? I was on stage at the time that photo was taken. Take my word that he has gradually become more energetic over the past year.

Graciously contended, my friend.

[Joe Barron]

That Juilliard Orchestra was the equal of any professional group, and absolutely fearless.

Sorry we missed you. You really should keep in touch. 

[scarpia]

You're going to argue with my assement of Levine's recent conducting because of a photograph? Really? I was on stage at the time that photo was taken. Take my word that he has gradually become more energetic over the past year.

I'm not going to contend with the assertion that he has become more energetic, that may well be true.  But if at some point he was less energetic than he appeared in that photo, I assume he was on a respirator.

[Szykneij]

Surgery delayed for BSO maestro James Levine


http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/general/view.bg?articleid=1106571&srvc=rss

[eyeresist]

Overheard in a record shop (for real):

Staff member 1: Which concert are you going to tonight?
Staff member 2: I don't know. I haven't decided yet.
Staff member 1: Did you hear that Levine's having a kidney removed?
Staff member 2: Oh? Maybe I'll go see that.