LA Phil yodels up Swiss principal oboe
NewsPhones are ringing off the hook in Basle, where Marc Lachat, principal of the local orchestra, is being congratulated on winning the audition for the coveted #1 seat at Dudamel’s Los Angeles Philharmonic.
Lachat, 35, also plays in the Zurich chamber orchestra. A keen mountaineer, he has yet to confirm acceptance
The LA Phil seat has been vacant since 2018, when Ramon Ortega quit in a matter of weeks.
Aside from buzz, LA has little to recommend itself: the traffic, the commute, the traffic, the commute, the heatwaves, the wildfires, the pollution (caused by that traffic), the modest salary compared to the enormous cost of living there (car and gasoline for that commute), and for Europeans a 12 hour flight home, did I mention the traffic and the commute?
LA has more cultural impact on the world than all of Europe put together. As well as probably more diversity single-handedly. Some people like being a part of the world of today not the world of yesteryear. That’s why the Europe-US brain drain never stops.
Absolutely correct.
Born and raised in LA. We have beaches and mountains and Forrest and Deserts all in LA country. You can surf in the morning and be skiing in the afternoon. But your right, LA is getting over crowd by all the transplant. Let him keep his ass in Swisserland. You can’t tell me with schools like USC we don’t have a local who could win that chair? Give me a break!
Too funny! There are solutions.
1. Buy an EV!
2. Live near the coast.
3. Visit UCLA often.
4. Exercise often at the beach.
LA has amazing recreational opportunities and amazing year-round weather. Winter averages a high of 69F and summer about 82F. The food scene is incredible (both haute cuisine and ethnic).
LA Phil pays incredibly well (higher than NY Phil). LA Phil musicians make very good money teaching privately and in local universities/conservatories. They also have opportunities to play on movie and TV soundtracks.
Incredible what has happened to the food scene there. I am old enough to remember when it was a weakness of LA and NY dominated. Now SF has more Michelin stars than NY and LA is right up there.
You’re fairly ignorant about the beauties of LA. Best to keep your impressions to yourself until you live here.
But we love it anyways…
Waiting for orchetras official confirmation but still congrats to him! For me that news isn’t surprice at all because I recently read an article by All is Yar where was a big article of principal oboe candidates and Mr. Lachat’s name was front in speculations.
And actually despite that Ortega was in trial – I would say that the seat has been vacant since Ariana Ghez’s departure in 2017. Kind same like e.g. in Berlin’s principal horn chair since 2010 despite Cooper’s one season trial.
Now just waiting that what this appointment will bring in future but wishing congrats to Mr. Lachat and orchestra. And here’s the article what I was mentioned – https://allisyar.com/2022/05/22/comings-and-goings-at-the-la-phil-spring-2022-edition-part-2-of-2-principal-oboe-candidates-and-a-bold-prediction-or-two/
And I loved Ariana so much …
Going out on a limb, you are not a member of the LA Phil with that comment
How the hell is Katherine Kneedleman not getting this job? She is basically the best player in America and perhaps is only rivaled by Tabateau and as Schellenberger…perhaps Albrecht Mayer, also.
And she is doing more for the instrument than anyone since Ramm commissioned Mozart for the Quartet.
I guess you are joking …
You’re joking right ?
Needlemann is a great musician but saying “perhaps only rivaled” by Schellenberger or Mayer… come on: Put her next to Ramón Ortega, Leleux, Tondre, Helene Devilleneuve, Thomas Indermühle, Jonathan Kelly, Viola Wilmsen, Celine Moinet, Cristina Gomez, Alexei Ogrintchouk, Jean Louis Capezalli… comparisons are awfu, I know, but as you started…
I heard her subbing with the NY Phil this season and was impressed. She’s also been added to the Curtis faculty. She does indeed follow the Curtis/Tabuteau school in her sound.
Besides using tired stereotypes of LA, Tet, you seem to have forgotten a brilliant orchestra, the opportunity to play under a gifted conductor and many fine guest conductors, and becoming part of an unparalleled woodwind section.
And, you will have the honor and prestige of being a member of one of the top 10 orchestras in the world and arguably the best in the US!!
Been attending LA Phil for 2 decades. Their wind section is like a giant revolving door, seeing new faces every season. WTH is going on?
Lachat supposedly just gave his notice. I don’t know the story but that chair must be cursed. His predecessor lasted less than a year.
It’s good for him, and good for them, but it’s still unfortunate because the American oboe has a very distinct sound, light and bright and easily blended with the other winds. Frankly, I think it’s a bit of a shame that some big orchestras, like LA and Philadelphia, are starting to do away with it.
That is what happens when the Music Directors have no clue or care about the traditional sonorities of their own ensembles. I attend Philadelphia Orchestra concerts every week and can tell you that Mr Tondre does not fit in AT ALL. I know many people in that orchestra, and they are not “enamoured” with him like the media wants us to be. I heard several chamber/recital programs of his and they were embarrassing. Littered with wrong notes, bad intonation, and just sounding like he was sight-reading. His predecessors never stooped that low, even when Richard Woodhams was declining in his later years. I like european oboe, playing, but he is not even a good representation of it. All the best to Mr Lachat! I hope his appointment works out for everybody involved, unlike the disaster we have in Philadelphia….
If they’re so unhappy they should fire him and have another audition. That hasn’t happened yet, am I right?
I couldn’t have said it any better!!!!!! That’s a total disaster in Philadelphia I’ve never I doubt if I’ll ever go see the orchestra again because of this stupid decision. I lost respect for a whole lot of people in the orchestra and the music director also.
I also attend the concerts every week, and Tondre fits quite nicely with the other players in the orchestra, I’m not sure what you are referring to… Perhaps have an hearing check-up?
He wont last long given the high turnover rate of the LA Phil wind section. I give him 2 seasons tops.