I had an interesting head-to-head yesterday on WQXR with Anne Midgette of the Washington Post and Jesse Rosen of the Symphony League as to whether maestros can overcome past conduct and evolve into a more user-friendly species.

The conversation arose out of the Roberto Minczuk and Mark Gorenstein issues raised on this site, but it has far wider implications. My own view is that, unlike dinosaurs, conductors can respond to fast-changing circumstances and develop a more contemporary model.

Hear the conversation here.