Another US baton quits German orchestra ‘for personal reasons’
OrchestrasA surprise choice by the Rhineland Philharmonic State Orchestra two years ago, Benjamin Shwartz has asked to be released from his contract as soon as possible.
‘As a father of small children, this is the right decision for my family,’ he said.
The state’s culture minister said: ‘Benjamin Shwartz shaped the Koblenz Orchestra and repeatedly brought it to top musical achievements through his rousing conducting.’
Well done. Children are precious, you choose to have them, and then small only once. How often do we hear – sorry but from mainly men in so many professions – when asked if they regretted anything? So often they’d wished they’d spent more time with my kids when they were young.
I’d be curious to know more of the problem. Is it that raising the children in Germany is not working or that keeping them in the US is not working?
(Not that it’s any of my business.)
If his concern is about his young children and he wants to be released from his contract as soon as possible, I fear it means that his spouse is either very sick or divorcing him.
Bernstein was an absentee father and his kids turned out all right. Must be something deeper going on.
I assume it‘s better to quit than permanently discuss carbon prints of trombones and Nachhaltigkeit of violins instead of probes.
With conductors it is just a matter of paycheck / status quo. He wouldn’t use the “kids card” if it was BPO, VPO etc…
Just imagine, a country with 83 million and with such a large number of orchestras!! Of course, half the year it’s freezing cold and they’re living inside – this will have much to do with high rates of cultural support.
Too much good weather corrupts!
Just back from Germany visiting a conductor friend who commutes from UK (where his small children are) to direct an orchestra in the Fatherland. A big strain on his family life, and if Shwartz is in the same boat his decision is understandable.
I’m available now