Comments on: Correction

By: Michael Chen

Michael Chen — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:25:55 +0000

Hi Alban:
My first reply was solely addressing the situation in Boston. I wasn’t talking about Cleveland at all! Regarding the issue of encouraging young people, Boston’s effort over the years had been less than ” a glass half-empty ” in my opinion. The orchestra of course did their annual one or two outreach program but there was no coherent effort. Levine’s arrival marked a remarkable change in programming hence making the appeal to younger audience necessary. We saw a dramatic drop in old subscribers but the seats have been largely taken over by younger and/or more adventurous audiences. Financial and social incentives are also used to entice these groups. I think there are a lot more the orchestra can do in educational aspects through collaboration with schools and sponsoring more chamber groups etc. And then there is Tanglewood…I have heard very mixed things in terms of BSO’s contribution there.

Best,
Michael

By: Alban

Alban — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 15:58:13 +0000

well, it is no secret how many people are hit by this crisis, but I can tell you now from very certain sources that this change in program had indeed nothing to do with the economic reality (especially since my fee isn’t that gigantic anyway), not even a little extra nudge I am afraid. No, I just have been completely wrong and it is quite an embarrassment to me, because it’s not only bad style, it is just very, very unprofessional!

And the orchestras in the US have already been keen to get the younger audiences into the halls since quite some time now- they started doing their outreach programs long before the “old world” became aware of that this might be a good idea. It is always a special joy to hear from succesfull Youth programs of US orchestras; I get often immediate feedback from the younger audience members after a concert, much more though than in Europe. I know we are all on a good way but especially now we have to support all different arts organization because in time of real catastrophies people have to have the chance to turn towards the arts for relief.
Best wishes,
Alban

By: Michael Chen

Michael Chen — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 15:43:27 +0000

Here in Boston, I have never seen so many available seats remaining in what would otherwise be considered attractive programs. Boston Symphony has long instituted a program to draw younger audience to Symphony Hall and I have observed recently that that approach has been kicked into high gear with special ticket price for under 40s, and group incentive offered to local and visiting Highschoolers. I suspect a nice by product of the economic crisis is that orchestras are more motivated to invite younger generation of conductors and soloists to work with them. After Russian Maestro Yuri Temirkanov canceled his fortnight of two programs in Boston, BSO management managed to engage the young British conductor Mark Wiggleworth and Finnish(?) woman conductor Susanna MÃ¤llki to take over. Perhaps the decision was solely artistically based but the economic reality certainly gave them the extra nudge!

All best,
Michael