Marin Alsop sends mentee to Africa
NewsThe US conductor has cancelled this month’s South Africa tour with the Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra ‘as she is unexpectedly indisposed due to health reasons and unable to travel.’
She will send a deputy, the US conductor Joseph Young, her artistic director of ensembles at the Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore. ‘I am thrilled that Joseph Young will conduct the Orchestra in my place,’ said Alsop. ‘I have worked closely with Joseph for many years and can attest to his incredible stage presence, musical finesse, and outstanding conducting technique. I have no doubt that he will do me proud on the South African stage, and I remain thankful to audiences for their support.’
Young said: ‘Marin Alsop has been my mentor for over fifteen years, and it is my honour to step in for her and conduct Mzansi National Philharmonic Orchestra’s 2023 South African tour. I look forward to working with the Orchestra again and to meeting new audiences in your beautiful country.’
He is also music director of the Berkeley (CA) Symphony.
A black conductor goes to Africa! This wokeness has gone too far.
Actually as stated, South Africa, a country in continent of Africa.
What sort of conductor is this guy if he has needed mentoring for over fifteen years? That’s nothing to be proud of. That’s a warning!
Says someone who is clearly not a musician.
Very true LOL! Not the sharpest pencil…
The kind that never asked for guidance from Spano or Runnicles when he was assistant in Atlanta. That kind.
wow, another toxic poster on SL surprise, surprise. What would we all do without you Judgey McJudgerson? Get a life.
Do you understand what the word mentor means in the world of music?
A clown. On the bright side he’s mean too!
Says a Cape Town website…
“The Mzansi Philharmonic was launched in 2022, as part of an initiative of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture to broaden the orchestral experience of the country, transform the orchestral sector and to brand South Africa positively around the world. The Orchestra consists of up to 110 non-permanent musicians who are drawn from regional orchestras, universities, and freelance musicians.”
Good for them. May it be an ongoingly successful venture.
Why isn’t it trans they/them? This man-world has gone too far. Where is Needlewomantheythem when we need it???????!!!!!!!
Joseph is a fine conductor who is a very thorough musician and a very humble, decent person. He did an amazing Shostakovich 10 with us last year. We love him.
Haters are always going to be there because of stupid preconceptions. And to be honest, as an SA citizen I’m getting a little tired of it…
Conducting the LA Phil is a pretty damn big achievement. And also, the best athletes have coaches all the way to retirement. Why should musicians not seek out advice from hugely successful ones? Being mentored by Alsop for 15 years puts him in a very good position.
(now let’s see how many dislikes I get)
Plenty, as it turns out …
Optics
Maybe some members of the National Symphony (Washington D.C.) can chime in regarding his recent week with them?
I’ve been a fellow conductor in class with Young and can attest to his rudeness, narcissistic behavior and disrespectful demeanor to everyone around. He’s a peacock that can’t believe he’s not the most talented person in the room. He even argued with teachers (G.Meier) openly and played the Woke card before it was a thing…it’s a ( blank ____ mafia) behavior at its best.