Marin Alsop to Austria: Do not shut my orchestra
NewsMessage from a shocked conductor:
‘It was with complete shock and disbelief that I learned of the threatened closure of the RSO Vienna, Austria’s only radio orchestra, who over the past 54 years have brought exceptional classical music to homes across the country and to distant lands.
The RSO has an unparalleled reputation for its focus on contemporary classical music, an integral component in the rich musical diversity of Austria, which celebrates the excitement of the new alongside the richness of traditional repertoire. ‘Musik unserer Zeit für Menschen unserer Zeit’ (‘Music of our time for people of our time‘) is at the core of everything we do and cultivating new Austrian music is written into our mission.
‘Through our critically-acclaimed recordings played across the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) and our internationally renowned performances, the RSO is an exceptional ambassador for Austria’s cultural heritage. I was proud to bring the Orchestra for their debut at the BBC Proms last year which was televised internationally and undoubtedly confirmed their reputation as a leading Austrian orchestra.
‘There is no doubt in my mind that to close down the RSO Vienna would be a decision that damages Vienna’s reputation as a musical capital in the world and potentially weaken Austria’s international cultural soft-power.
‘As Chief Conductor, my first thoughts are always with the musicians of the orchestra. The 88 permanent members and 10 academy members rank among the finest in the world, and to risk their livelihoods during a time of economic hardship is barbaric.
‘I strongly urge ORF to consider this decision-making process incredibly carefully and act to safeguard its cultural integrity by continuing to fund the RSO.’
They could perhaps make some savings by no longer hiring expensive American chief conductors.
Boo. What a ridiculous comment to make. You think it has anything to do with the conductors salary? Thats really a foolish response to the loss of 98 musician positions and a great deal of civil service posts. Be responsible in you posts.
……as opposed to expensive European chief conductors, who get almost every job on offer in the United States?
Oh no!!!! Another conductor who after decades is told that they don’t matter as much as they thought they did! How will the world go on?!
It’s amazing how many musicians are able to live in a bubble for so many years benefiting from situations that would be absolutely unheard of in other industries. Does their parasitic nature exist as a means to “save the music” or rather as a means to provide them with wealth, security, comfort, and an inflated ego? So many of them live along that long African river called De Nial.
and you came to this classical music blog, because you hate classical music and classical musicians. Interesting.
No, just the people.
Oh clam up, you envious mediocrity. While we’re piercing “bubbles”, people will still be listening to recordings made by the RSO and Alsop long after your grandchildren have forgotten everything about you, including whatever dumb job you hold and even your name. Get wrecked.
Ha ha!!! John Harrington is having a temper tantrum ’cause he feels like he’s getting bullied. The truth must really hurt ya’. Cry harder, Johnny-boy:)
…it’s not the conductor here who’s being told they no longer matter, apparently.
They matter to an extent, but not as much as they think they do…especially in 2023.
I think you’ll find it’s the supply and demand paradigm. She’s good so she’s in demand; the supply of mediocrities is abundant.
Why do you post this moronic,populist comment on a website about classical music???????If you don´t like it,crawl under your rock and don´t bother us with your primitive,uneducated views which sound like some quotation from Stalin´s minister of culture.
The truth hurts.
Arthur, you exemplify everything I and the rest of the industry feel about Slippedisc.
I want to personally congratulate you on giving the most Slippedisc comment ever to be posted. Bravo!
Oh no!!! Another commentator who knows nothing about this person and makes outrageous, unsubstantiated comments. So here goes – I worked with Marin during her tenure as principal conductor in Bournemouth. I was asked to organise a youth orchestra performance with young musicians from across the South West of England. Marin gave her time freely and was generous to the young players learning their craft. All this within a busy schedule. If you have an ounce of decency you will withdraw your comment.
How do you know? I can substantiate everything that was said. Working musicians and administrators will of course react with aversion, disgust and dismay to the mirror being held up to them. If you read the comment instead of merely reacting to it, the poster isn’t talking about Marin giving her time “freely” (highly paid for that busy schedule, I believe), it’s talking about musician/artist entitlement.
Absolutely! The reactions here prove the OP’s point. Of course some very nice people are going to be caught in the crossfire and my heart goes out to them. But there are some very sinister people in this business who claim that corruption doesn’t occur when some of us behind the scenes effing know it does because we live it! However, I did believe Max Raimi when he claimed that the CSO auditions he was involved with were as fair as possible. Some of us were raised right and really want to see the best musician get the job. But those of you musicians and admins that have ruined the lives of ultra talented musicians simply because they decided to do the right thing, were on the wrong side of politics, supported another musician who suffered injustice, or that you blocked out just to clear the path for their friends or associates, you are starting to see just how much society values you, which isn’t very much at all. In 20 years, there might be like a handful of orchestras that will function as living museum exhibits. Time for you to dodge the MickeyD’s uniform just like the rest of us and smell that certain aroma that is common to our species!
Well probably not so busy for now on.
Did you actually call Marin Alsop an inflated egomaniacal parasite living on the bank of De Nial? (omg)
The first two comments on here could not miss the point more. This is not the USA or Great Britain. This is Vienna. Our Orchestras and Classical Music are very important to us and ORF is acting recklessly to jeopardize our cultural institution RSO Wien. I fear it is just a gamble to get more money from the Ministry and it is the third time it has tried this tactic in my lifetime.
Marin Alsops Statement is completely correct. The RSO Wien must survive or it will hurt Viennas reputation for Music and our venues.
I believe Marin Alsop’s plea is absolutely sincere and justified. Firstly, once an orchestra fails, it is tremendously difficult to ever resurrect with a new one. It is almost like bringing back an extinct species. They are close to irreplaceable. Rebuilding the audience from scratch is similarly difficult. What we are lucky to inherit should not be casually let go for the sake of short-sighted savings. Miss Alsop has no reason to be self-serving. She would quickly get other offers. The audience and musicians would not be so fortunate. Ultimately, the human value of music cannot be boiled down to dollars or temporary popularity.
Things change. Nothing lasts forever.
Well said by an outstanding person and conductor.
ORF should reconsider.
There’s a deeper issue here which orchestras like the Vienna RSO should be addressing. Radio orchestras were formed decades ago, when there were no streaming services, and when recorded music (i.e. LPs) was relatively expensive. Back then, they played a great role by creating “content” to fill the airwaves. Since that raison d’être no longer exists, they should now be looking to rebrand themselves simply as fine orchestras, period.
The challenge then – of course – will be to find new sources of funding. Streaming services are – I assume – making lots of money: do governments need to intervene to funnel more of that money back to rank-and-file orchestral performers?
I doubt that anyone in classical music makes much money from streaming except perhaps top players like the Met or Berlin Phil. Moreover, RSO Vienna is a radio orchestra, so their mission is to be broadcasted by Austrian radio and TV.
However, it is true that radio orchestras should find different sources of funding as today they serve less the public radio stations that pay for them than the general public. The should therefore look out for funding by gouvernment money or sponsors. Let’s hope that rich Austria finds some bucks for this important orchestra.
She’s USian. Many are like that. They need to stay in their own country/empire. And the EUers stay in theirs. It will help the music
All posters should take a look at the FOUR TV programs offered by the ORF. At one time there were only TWO, which was enough. Now the Sport Channel does not broadcast current sport, which is done mainly in ORF1, but rather re-broadcasts past events as well as misc. sport, which could be offered on-line. The so-called Cultural Channel is an odd arrangement of old – and I do mean OLD – films and series, which could also be offered on-line. Bottom line: Since more Austrians can ski than those who have attended classical music events, I have no problem in guessing which Channel will be trashed. What would you say?
Right. So what’s the problem?
Let me give you a hint: The ORF has spread itself financially too thin. THAT is the problem. Now you figure out what will get the ax!