The Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, widely respected as the world’s worst-managed symphony orchestra, has extended its chief conductor Jonathan Nott to 2026. That will add up to ten years of a Swiss francs salary.
The orchestra tends to fire its managers every 2-3 years.
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The Swiss can keep him as far as I am concerned. Better there than in the UK.
Dear Mr. Lebrecht,
It is time for you to refresh your knowledge about this wonderful institution. The orchestra has become one of the best ensembles in the world. The quality, musicality, and professionalism of the concerts are at an extremely high level, and the administration plays a significant role in this great success. This can be seen through the standing ovations received on tours and the consistently full halls, both in Geneva and abroad. The presence of outstanding soloists and conductors who share the stage with the OSR further attests to its excellence.
Therefore, I kindly request that you attend one of the concerts and update your information before making any outdated remarks about this institution.
Thank you for your attention.
Sincerely,
Lola.
You may be right regarding the Orchestra’s quality, but standing ovations aren’t a sign of much at this point. They have occurred at most of the concerts I’ve attended for years now. I miss the days when they were reserved for truly great performances and special-occasions.
Whatever Lola wants,
Lola gets,
And Nor’man, little Lola
Wants you …
Seriously, what a lot of Brit conductors there are these days, working on the Continent. And they’re all pretty good, it would seem. Is the UK the new Finland?
Brexit is the main reason they’re seeking to work abroad. Noone in their right mind would want to work in britain.
I understand what you mean, but I cannot agree. It depends on the city, country, and audience. For example, in Montreal and Mexico, people often stand. However, in Munich or Dresden, it is not as common. Etc.
During past tour OSR received standing ovations in some places where people don’t typically stand, and that’s a fact.
I’m sorry but you are deluded if you don’t think he is one of the best conductors alive right now
If you’re looking for the world’s worst managed symphony orchestra, there are a number of other contenders. London’s Philharmonia Orchestra would be a prime candidate. Six months ago I drew the attention of the CEO to the fact that the personnel shown on the website hadn’t been updated for almost a year. A non-commital reply came not from him but from one of the other members of staff. Nothing has changed in the meantime. The orchestra is now bleeding key players and those that are still officially “members” regularly play with other London orchestras. Of the current management members listed on the website, at least three-quarters were not in place two years ago. All orchestras need stability and professionalism in the way they are managed. The Philharmonia may not be alone in going through a rocky period but there are few signs that key problems are being addressed.
For someone with such incredible observation skills, you seem to have missed that this “article” is about Jonathan Nott and the OSR
Norman’s first sentence described the orchestra in question as the world’s worst-managed. My key point is that there are other bands to whom that phrase could equally be applied. For someone like you with such incredible analytical skills, I’m surprised that this distinction failed to register with you.
The bêtes noires do seem to pile up, don’t they?
Admittedly very disconcerting to watch – looks as if he’s conducting to a record (and different from what they’re playing)! But have you heard the results?! Do we judge too much with our eyes than with our ears? What I’ve heard of his has been startlingly good and the orchestra plays so well (and, it appears, happily) for him. I don’t think Ansermet would be displeased . . .
I used to have an enormous admiration for Maestro Nott , having closely worked under his baton during his 3-year tenure as Musical Director of the Paris- based Ensemble Intercontemporain ( chosen at this position by Pierre Boulez himself ) . So ,just try to imagine my astonishment when , during a sectional rehearsal in Geneva last summer , it took him almost two hours to realize that I had been playing the same piano part as my colleague , instead of mine …As Salvador Dali used to say ” do not fear perfection , you will never reach it “
Wow! Were you pleased with your “gotcha” moment? And now slagging him over the World Wide Web? What a classy fellow you are! I don’t know this conductor’s work at all, he may truly be lacking in skills. But you smearing his name for everyone to see is the lowest of the low. But wait! you’re a classical musician. I should have known. #shameonyou
Monsieur Lebrecht, j’ignore le pourquoi de vos critiques aussi injustes que méchantes, oui, méchantes, chaque fois que vous écrivez sur l’OSR.
L’OSR d’Ernest Ansermet, de Wolfgang Sawallisch, d’Armin Jordan, de Horst Stein: que de merveilleux concerts dans la splendide salle du Victoria-Hall !
Mr Lebrecht, I cannot understand your sour bashing any time you post a text on OSR, would like to know why, as you seem to be personally concerned.
Mah…
Why the snotty comment on his salary being in Swiss Francs? Rather petty, don’t you think? If the UK paid decent salaries across the board, in business and the arts, maybe it might shine a bit more, like Switzerland.
A Swiss orchestra paying its conductor in Swiss Francs? I am shocked, shocked! So glad that the artivcle pointed out this gross anomaly. Now, don’t tell me that the players are payed in Swiss Francs as well!
No accounting for taste….