Boston tweaks a concertmaster’s title
OrchestrasFrom the nation’s leading orchestra of substitutes:
Boston Symphony Orchestra and Andris Nelsons Appoint Alexander Velinzon as New First Associate Concertmaster. A BSO Member Since 2000, Velinzon Has Been Associate Concertmaster Since 2015.
Velinzon Will Also Become Concertmaster of the Boston Pops.
“Velinzon Will Also Become Concertmaster of the Boston Pops”
But not “First” Concertmaster? (Like in Berlin)
Couldn’t they have made Velnzon “Concertmaster” of BSO, and then made the concertmaster, the “First Concertmaster”?
Why and when did orchestras become so militarily hierarchical?
Maybe players ought to wear stripes or stars to designate their ranks.
Another question: has a British orchestra player (say concertmaster) ever been knighted as an orchestra player? Guess not, it’d be awkward with a conductor who is not knighted.
It’s actually a reasonable comment so I don’t know why you had so many thumbs down.
To answer questions, I can’t think of a knighted leader. Closest to mind is Chris Warren Green who, while not knighted, is reputedly very close to King Charlie. He was certainly a very big personality in his Philharmonia leading days, no doubt outshining lots of conductors.
I was frankly surprised he didn’t get the job in the first place. I’ve never heard anything in Velinzon’s playing that has suggested he shouldn’t have received it. He’s a wonderful violinist.
One of the classiest in the business!
Does this mean that there will soon be a “second” associate CM and a “third” associate CM? Why not a fourth and fifth?
Sadly some people will always be the bridesmaid, never the bride.
For heaven’s sake Maud, that puppy’s got a new slipper!
Fully deserved!!!
What’s with Smirnova?
She just retired, after on leave for three seasons…It´s a bit weird, since she didn´t announce it, and there wasn´t any farewell cerenomy on stage, as for Elizabeth Rowe,Edwin Barker, and Valeria Vilker Kuchment. No announcement…..She just dropped from the roster.
Would make a good story for SD.
NL: “From the nation’s leading orchestra of substitutes…”
Why, because they had a good number of subs for the final weekend at Tanglewood – in other words, one summer weekend a year?
This lede is both factually incorrect and snide – a smear.
Because the “insider” who delivered the information, mistook the number of 37 substitutes listed for the whole Tanglewood season for the number who played in the concert he visited….And no one bothered to check it and correct this mistake.
I guess this means Tamara Smirnova has officially retired. I hope she’s ok— I’ve enjoyed her phenomenal playing for years in Boston.
what a joke