Unprecedented ovation for Chicago’s outcast first horn

Mahler’s ninth symphony by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and conductor Jakub Hrusa went well. Chicago Classical Review noted:

Primus inter pares was principal horn David Cooper, who delivered a virtual seminar in Mahler playing—finely polished, sensitive to dynamics and providing the most beautiful and expressive moments of the night. His section colleagues were on a comparable level.

Cooper, however, had just been turned down for tenure in the orchestra – and the audience knew it. Our correspondent adds:

David Cooper, the Principal Horn who was denied tenure by the CSO, received ovations from the audience, as well as visible praises from the Maestro and some (though not all) of his colleagues (some musicians also gave Mr. Cooper a standing ovation).

Several readers provided their opinions on the comment section of Mr. Johnson’s article – samples below:

“I was in attendance Thursday night, and the acclaim from the audience when Jakub Hrusa motioned to David Cooper for a solo bow could only be described as explosive. In forty years I have never heard such an ovation at Orchestra Hall. The denial of tenure to Mr. Cooper is one of several extremely stupid decisions by the CSO in recent years, and we can only hope that they don’t blow it again with their choice of their next music director.”

“Tonight, David Cooper received a standing ovation from his own colleagues. I have never seen the musicians stand in front of a pal before. Well deserved!!! “

“During Saturday’s performance, David Cooper definitely received the loudest cheers and one of the clarinetists stood up from his chair on stage to join the ovation! Were the differences really so irreconcilable such that they would allow such rare talent to escape?”

“A wonderful concert and very fine review. For me, however, the elephant in the hall was — how in the world could the cso not grant tenure to David Cooper. He was, as usual, fabulous, and the roar of approval from the audience should echo large with whomever is in charge.”

“I’ll join the other commenter regarding soloists and especially David Cooper. Fix your tenure problem, Chicago.”

“I was happy for David Cooper, not only that he played so magnificently, but that his performance was so visibly appreciated by his colleagues in the orchestra. “

“Why Cooper has not been granted tenure is puzzling. Frankly, Cooper has become an audience favorite. Cooper is now being considered to fill the position of Associate Principal Horn with the La Philharmonic. If so, the CSO’s loss is LA’s gain! Sad! Subscribers deserve an explanation WHY! “

“Re: David Cooper- he clearly deserves the top spot in one of the world’s top orchestras, but I’m afraid it’s not going to be Chicago, or at least not for many years until most of the current section members have aged out. “

Though the fact was not made public, Maestro Muti was the tie breaker in the controversial tenure decision which pitted a relatively small group of musicians (who eventually had their way) against the majority of the orchestra.