Alex Ross on Regional Orchestras

[MishaK]

I thought this New Yorker article by Alex Ross might interest GMG members:

http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/musical/2007/06/25/070625crmu_music_ross

Having heard one of the three orchestras mentioned here - the Indianapolis Symphony - I can attest to the vastly underrated quality of regional American ensembles which really deserve to be heard more.

[PSmith08]

I thought this New Yorker article by Alex Ross might interest GMG members:

http://www.newyorker.com/arts/critics/musical/2007/06/25/070625crmu_music_ross

Having heard one of the three orchestras mentioned here - the Indianapolis Symphony - I can attest to the vastly underrated quality of regional American ensembles which really deserve to be heard more.

Being a Hoosier, I can say that the Indianapolis Symphony combines solid performances with an attempt to reach out to the community. Between the AT&T Happy Hour series and the Marsh Symphony on the Prairie, they really do try to bring the music to a broad audience. The Hilbert Circle Theater, named after the disgraced former head of Conseco, is a really beautiful venue, which makes things nice.

[bhodges]

You know something must be going right if the Alabama Symphony Orchestra is programming Poul Ruders, Kurt Schwertsik, Magnus Lindberg and Elliott Carter -- and Paul Lansky, whom I don't recall seeing on any orchestral programs in New York!

I've not heard any of these three groups live, but a few years ago I did hear the Huntsville (Alabama) Symphony Orchestra when its conductor, Taavo Virkhaus, did the Mahler Resurrection on a final concert to mark his departure.  It was a really stirring evening.  Part of the impact was seeing some 200+ choral members, all recruited from areas nearby, jammed onto the stage.  What the ensemble may have lacked in finesse, it more than made up for in intensity and commitment, and I found myself thinking that semi-professional ensembles are now at a level that they can tackle something like this -- and do well by it.  I found out later that a number of people in the orchestra had always dreamed of playing the piece but had never gotten the chance to do so -- that to me is inspiring on its own. 

--Bruce

[jochanaan]

The Colorado Symphony is a very good orchestra, and under Marin Alsop they did some exciting programs.  However, it seems that the current maestro, Jeffrey Kahane, leans more towards the traditional repertoire.

[Lethevich]

Not American, but a useful thread for this: I recently heard a live recording (Tchaikovsky VC/Henkel) by the Duisburg Philharmonic from Germany and was surprised that I'd never heard of them before - it sounded great.

[knight66]

I can't get the item in the New Yorker to scan; but I don't altogether understand what is meant in the US by the term, 'regional orchestra'. Any that sit outside of the capital Washington DC are regional. All the great US orchestras are regional. The Washingtom orchestra is not in the top rank. Is he talking about cultural hinterlands?

Mike

[Sergeant Rock]

I can't get the item in the New Yorker to scan; but I don't altogether understand what is meant in the US by the term, 'regional orchestra'.

The only thing close to a definition that Ross gives is this: "Orchestras at the level of the Nashville used to be described as "regional" or "second tier," but increasingly they display the virtuoso panache of front-rank ensembles." In another sentence he seems to imply that the regional orchestras are those outside the traditional Big Five. "To hear the grand old ensembles of Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Cleveland, a New York critic need only ride the subway to Carnegie Hall. Last month, I decided to check in on a few orchestras [Indianapolis, Nashville, Alabama] that can't afford to tour in grand style around the country."

There is an organization, ROPA, that represents what it calls regional orchestras, that is, any orchestra not represented by ICSOM. Here's the list of ROPA orchestras. But that isn't the way Ross defines regional. The three orchestras he heard are ICSOM members.

For no particular reason (although the number of commercial recordings plays a big part) I consider the Big Five plus Los Angeles, San Francisco, Detroit, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Minnesoto, Seattle, Atlanta, Baltimore, Dallas and Houston to be the major American orchestras. The rest are regional (i.e., they are rarely heard, live or on record, outside their small area). 

Sarge
 

[pjme]

Not American, but a useful thread for this: I recently heard a live recording (Tchaikovsky VC/Henkel) by the Duisburg Philharmonic from Germany and was surprised that I'd never heard of them before - it sounded great.

Allow me to draw attention to my hometown orchestra the Antwerp Philharmonic!, ( see: Antwerp PhO launches own CD label).
With Edo de Waart, Martyn Brabbins and Phillippe Herreweghe they definitely try to distinguish themselves .
P.

[knight66]

Sarge, Thanks for that. '(i.e., they are rarely heard, live or on record, outside their small area)'.  I think that is a good way to describe the position of the orchestras in the US.

Mike

[Brian]

The San Antonio Symphony was an impressively dedicated ensemble under Larry Rachleff; I have yet to hear them under their new German-romantic-obsessed director, Sebastian Lang-Lessing, but they continue to draw reviews which are far higher than payroll.

The Seattle Symphony's recent outings on CD have been revelatory.

[jlaurson]

I can't get the item in the New Yorker to scan; but I don't altogether understand what is meant in the US by the term, 'regional orchestra'. Any that sit outside of the capital Washington DC are regional. All the great US orchestras are regional. The Washingtom orchestra is not in the top rank. Is he talking about cultural hinterlands?

Mike

Yes, it's largely a matter of economics, home-market, and fame / perceived-from-afar quality. Although it should be pointed out that the the overall annual budget of the Berlin Philharmonic is ~ €25 million ($36 million), as per Tony Woodcock (former President of the Oregon Symphony, Minnesota Orchestra, and now at the NEC) roughly equivalent to that of the Minnesota Orchestra or the Nashville Symphony.


Here's a list of operating budgets from a different source; numbers less recent than 2010 have been removed.

Los Angeles Philharmonic $97M (2011)
Boston Symphony Orchestra $84M (2011)
New York Philharmonic $77M (2011)
San Francisco Symphony $72M (2011)
Chicago Symphony Orchestra $65M (2011)
Philadelphia Orchestra $46M (2011)
Atlanta Symphony $46M (2010)
Cleveland Orchestra $42M (2010)
Cincinnati Symphony $39M (2011)
Pittsburgh Symphony $32M (2010)
[NSO]
[Minnesota Orchestra]
[Detroit]
[Indianapolis]
Baltimore Symphony $28M (2010)
[St Louis Symphony]
Houston Symphony $24M (2010)
[Dallas Symphony]
Seattle Symphony $24M (2010)
San Diego Symphony $20M (2011)
[Metropolitan Opera Orchestra]
Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra $17M (2011)
[New Jersey SO]
Oregon Symphony $14M (2010)
Vancouver Symphony $13M (2011)
Colorado Symphony $12M (2010)
North Carolina Symphony $12M (2011)

[knight66]

I am astonished at those figures. I wonder the extent to which their income remotely meets these outgoings. The Chicago outfit seems like a bargain up against the Los Angeles orchestra. Though bargain is perhaps not quite the word at 65M!

Mike

[Sergeant Rock]

Cincinnati Symphony $39M (2011)

As an Ohio native I'm surprised I forgot to include Cincinnati among the majors in my list. They have made many recordings and frequently tour.

Sarge

[Mirror Image]

However, it seems that the current maestro, Jeffrey Kahane, leans more towards the traditional repertoire.

This is a shame because so many of us classical fans are thirsty for some more obscure music or, at least, some good concert programs. It seems that the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra under Robert Spano are suffering from this as well. I have no interest in the ASO if all they're going to play is workhorses that I can hear at home.

[Karl Henning]

This is a shame because so many of us classical fans are thirsty for some more obscure music or, at least, some good concert programs. It seems that the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra under Robert Spano are suffering from this as well. I have no interest in the ASO if all they're going to play is workhorses that I can hear at home.

The ASO will play a piece you cannot hear at home, the première of Atlanta composer Mark Gresham's Snowfall, at this free mid-day concert on Wednesday, John.  Can you make it?

[Brahmsian]

I love my little band - The Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra.  More often than not, their concert performances are more than just good, they are outstanding! 

[Mirror Image]

The ASO will play a piece you cannot hear at home, the première of Atlanta composer Mark Gresham's Snowfall, at this free mid-day concert on Wednesday, John.  Can you make it?

Unfortunately not, Karl. I have to work.

[Karl Henning]

Thought I'd let you know, just in case your schedule allowed, John.

[Mirror Image]

Thought I'd let you know, just in case your schedule allowed, John.

Thanks, Karl. My normal days off are Mondays and Tuesdays. Starting the second weekend of January (Jan. 7th), I'm taking a little 5-day vacation. I still haven't decided what I want to do yet, but I'm going to try and catch up on some music I haven't heard yet (i. e. I have a pile of Sibelius recordings that have yet to be torn into).