In Tuesday’s (10/27) Post and Courier (Charleston, South Carolina), Adam Parker writes, “The death of conductor David Stahl on Sunday night came just as the symphony he worked so hard to build up was forced to cease operations because of its precarious financial situation. The musicians and symphony management now are in talks to renegotiate their master agreement. One effect of this sad confluence of events is that the symphony—should it find its way to a recovery—is left with no heir-apparent, no interim music director and no slate of candidates for the position. … Ryan Leveille, a percussionist and spokesman for symphony musicians, noted that Stahl ‘always managed to be optimistic about the future, even if the last couple years have been such a struggle’ financially and artistically. … Ted Legasey, president of the symphony board, said Stahl was ‘the face of the symphony for so many years’ and that his loss would be greatly felt in the community. But a transition plan had been devised last year which would have de-emphasized Stahl’s role in the organization anyway, Legasey said. ‘We’re trying to position the organization to be much more sustainable financially and still deliver a top-quality product,’ he said of the immediate goal.”
Posted October 29, 2010
