Minnesota Orchestra has a new concertmaster
mainFelicity James is the new associate concertmaster, succeeding 35-year veteran Roger Frisch.
She starts immediately in the concertmaster seat for the holiday season concerts.
Erich Rieppel is the new principal timp.
The article title is somewhat misleading: the Minnesota Orchestra has a new Second *Associate* concertmaster. Erin Keefe is still very much *the* concertmaster, and Susie Park is still the First Associate.
So naturally, as low woman on the totem pole, Miss James gets to lead at least some of the holiday concerts.
We’re very glad to have her in the Twin Cities!
Three women in the first four chairs? That’s inequity.
Four women in first four chairs. Erin Keefe is female.
60 is the new 40, brown is the new black, and women are the new men.
“…and women are the new men.”
Meaning that when they win an audition, people assume it was for the quality of their playing and not because of their gender?
Sweet!
Uh, who is the 4th woman in the first 4 chairs? The lineup appears to be:
Erin Keene (CM)
Susie Park (Assoc. CM)
Felicity James (Assoc. CM)
Rui Du (Asst. CM)
Rui Du is a man.
Blind auditions, man. We can assume they got their seats only because they’re the best!
NB: Susie Park was violinist of the Eroica Trio for 6 years.
Unless, of course , they were the best…and male.
The final audition round is never behind a screen, though (save for the MET)…
Any reason why the timpanist gets second billing here, Norman?
Concertmasters are the top-of-the-bill talent – they get all the attention. Norman was just trying to drum up business [rimshot!]
FYI…in many of the top tier, major orchestras, the principal timpanist is often the second highest paid player, after the concertmaster.
Any recent examples? I’ve heard this claim before, but current conditions seem to be otherwise. Checking just now with IRS Form 990 filings (the most recent available) for highest reportable compensation to a musician after concertmaster:
Boston: principal oboe
Cleveland: principal flute
Chicago: principal clarinet
Dallas: principal trumpet
Los Angeles: principal trumpet
Minnesota: principal trombone
National Symphony: unknown
Philadelphia: principal clarinet
Pittsburgh: principal horn
San Francisco: principal trumpet
Seattle: principal horn
I only saw one or two cases where the timpani cracked the top 5 list.
or snare a few readers…
Ba-DUM-ching!!
She looks awfully delicate to be a Concertmaster. Frisch was a strong player with a strong personality. And experienced. She looks like she just got out of school.
You’re not very perceptive, are you. Look at her eyes.
I bet if you had to play in an orchestra with her, you would find her to be the opposite of delicate.
^ Dumb comment.
Great to see that someone here is saying what’s on the minds of deaf music fans everywhere.
excuse me?
Vic Firth joined the Boston Symphony (percussion, later timpanist) at age 22. Stanley Drucker joined the NY Philharmonic (clarinet) at age 19, and it was his second job! Ed Barker joined Boston (double bass) at age 21. The list goes on and on so don’t let her age/looks bother you.
Felicity is an absolutely first-rate player, and the MN Orch. is lucky to have her. Many congratulations to both her and the orchestra.