Posted by Richard on February 04, 2002 at 22:32:29:
In Reply to: BSO-time for a change??? posted by Mike Stabler on February 04, 2002 at 20:35:53:
The difference between the BSO brass principals and those in the Pops? The principals in the BSO have had to act in that capacity for Seiji Ozawa, in a "classical" scene with all the dark side that that implies. Ozawa is leaving soon, but he has still overstayed his welcome, and has lobotomized a once great and elegantly stylized orchestra. The Pops on the other hand is a commercial scene, where the players are expected to get it right, figure out as much as they can without instruction or correction, in as little time as possible. Kieth Lockhart, like John Williams before him, and Fiedler before him, just wants to go in there, go for his ride and let the players do their thing and make him look good. Which they do. That's why the Pops is fun and the BSO, can be at times, sorry to say, a drag.
You've broken a taboo to broach this subject as you have, and hopefully the flames will not cause this entire thread to disappear. It's refreshing at times to break taboos, but don't blame the players.