Just in: A US symphony orchestra is shut down
mainThe Macon Symphony Orchestra, in Georgia, will play its final concert in October.
Founded in 1976, it has struggled with falling revenues.
Board chairman Bob Veto said: ‘As many of you know, the Symphony has been experiencing declining ticket sales and declining corporate support in recent years, and that trend is accelerating … to attempt to stage all four concerts that had been planned might end up with the MSO leaving many financial commitments unmet, including paying our excellent musicians. We felt that we needed to communicate with them as early as possible, so that they can seek other opportunities in 2018.’
Very sad indeed. This was a very fine orchestra, whose former manager remains a dear friend via social media. I recall my visit with the MSO when Adrian Gnam was Music Director. He was very proactive, always answered his telephone (yes, before email!), was eager and passionate about his orchestra and loved to discuss repertoire. (We ended up doing Liszt’s Concerto #1 and the Balakirev/Biegel ‘Islamey Fantasy’). I do hope very sincerely that the community in Macon will work hard to support a revitalized Macon Symphony when the time is right.
They actually have symphony orchestras in the US. Well I never, I thought it was a cultural desert. I doubt they could match VPO, DSK, etc, besides their instruments are not quite the same. H v K thought so as did Furtwängler.
Oh yes, we have a few, here and there. Of course, like anything outside of Berlin & Vienna, they’re not very good 😛
We have number of excellent orchestras in areas of the US you would think wouldn’t. Nashville, Louisville, Albany, Dallas and Portland all come to mind. All have recorded any several have radio broadcast schedules during their respective seasons.
Our majors Chicago, New York and LA and San Francisco are world class. Still the lose of any orchestral organization or opera company is tragic and a lose for the community.
One or two European conductors managed to put up with US bands. I guess that Szell, Reiner, Walter, Toscanini, Stokowski, Blomstedt, Salonen, Barbirolli amongst others all found something they could work with in the US.
Always best to listen to the opinions of ex-Nazis.
This is Plato’s ideal Slipped Disc comment
I’m originally from Ohio, but have lived in Macon for nearly 25 years.This symphony was once a powerhouse. One of its high points was the performance of Britten’s War Requiem, joining with choirs from England and Germany to celebrate the 50th anniversary of VE Day. It was been a fine orchestra and this is a very sad day for our community. There have been some shake ups in recent years. For every action there is an opposite reaction.
So sad to hear this news 🙁