A music director discusses his husband
OrchestrasOn becoming music director of the Minnesota Orchestra, Thomas Søndergård talks, among other things, about the love of his life:
‘I remember thinking, he’s very, very nice, but he’s probably not interested in men. We chatted a little later and then we found out that we had… a lot to talk about. And there we are, 23 years later.’
Watch video here.
If in concert the strings get ahead of the winds, would they be out of kilter?
Love Is love. Beautiful.
I can’t imagine what kind of miserable lives the 24 people who voted you down have…Let’s pray for them that they can understand and experience love one day before their perish.
The video was a much more about his life, music, and conducting. Quite worthwhile to watch. He conducted my hometown orchestra a year ago and it was one of the best concerts I’ve heard.
It’s great that society has progressed so that LGBT folks feel comfortable to talk about their spouses without fear of harassment. It wasn’t possible until the last several years. ❤️️
Why do you describe him as “LGBT”? He’s just gay.
Vlingk mentioned “LGBT folks”, so people of his community. That includes but does not stop at gay men.
He didn’t describe him as LGBT.
He noted that LGBT *folks*, of which he is among, have this recently acquired ease.
But you already knew that.
Well, I knew that some people unfathomably treat gay people and trans people as part of a single demographic; but that’s daft, isn’t it, because sexual orientation and sexual identity are very different?
Yes, you mean that there is a difference between sexual orientation and gender identity. You’re right. Categories like LGBTQ are not scientific, but they came about as a way for certain marginalized groups to find a safe community. Despite the gender/sexuality difference, the marginalization of trans people had many similarities with that of gay people, and scientifically and sociologically speaking, gender and sexuality, though different, are closely related.
“Categories like LGBTQ are not scientific, but they came about as a way for certain marginalized groups to find a safe community”
Hmm. The main gay rights groups in the UK ikn the 1970s were precisely and only that: Campaign for Homosexual Equality, Northern Ireland Gay Rights Association, and Scottish Homosexual Rights Group. I edited thre newsletter of the latter for four years and I am pretty sure that nothing trans-related was ever on our agenda.The doctrine that
“scientifically and sociologically speaking, gender and sexuality, though different, are closely related” is rather new; and dubious, too. For one thing, it buys into the old trope that gay men are somehow really women, at least on the inside, and lesbians somehow men in women’s bodies; the old trope expressed by Mae West, she of the gun in your pocket, when she claimed to have stopped the NY police beating up gay men because “whben you hit a homosexual, fellas, you’re hitting a lady.”
Lovely to read. But what a shame that Minnesota chose as its next director a man who was famous at BBC Wales and RSNO for regularly showing up to rehearsals without knowing scores, a man who would use orchestral rehearsal time to learn what he should have learned at home, a man who was repeatedly disrespectful to players and an Olympic-grade snob. I had the displeasure — twice — of playing under his unremarkable baton and he always seemed more concerned with picking out fabrics for his second home than bothering to learn even soloist names or learning the damned score. It is wonderful that Mr Sondergard feels he can live his life openly, but what a shame he’s not a better conductor or even a nicer person.
I played several times under him,and i had a totally different experience. He was very prepared,organized,and has a very elegant stick technique.His rehearsals were very effective,he trusted in us and was very warm,outgoing and friendly..In the concerts(and one opera production) he let loose and let us play,textures always transparent and with a keen ear for orchestral balance(my main goal….)
I have worked with Thomas on numerous occasions and always found him inspiring, musical, knowledgeable and courteous. Unsure where your experiences came from but seems at odd with all my Scottish colleagues.
I’m not sure was asking you so no need to refuse.
Sorry, why is non-related, verging on slur, commenting allowed through the apparent ‘moderation’ process on this site.
Hate engaging with below the line lowlifery but people need to learn they can’t just spew their prejudices.
I played under Mr S and he was infamous for not knowing the scores properly. He didn’t get the best out of us
Articles like this are irritating
Completely agree – a time wasting charlatan.
I played under him,and he was very well prepared, including a very difficult new opera at Deutsche Oper Berlin. If he didn´t get out the best out of you,maybe you should have tried harder.It´s not always the conductor´s fault.
And?