How to broaden appeal without lowering artistry or “dumbing down”? It’s a question orchestras frequently grapple with. The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra believes it has found a way through a new YouTube competition, in which musicians from all over can upload audition videos for a chance to perform with the orchestra. League President and CEO Jesse Rosen discusses this new initiative, which invites the public to vote for a winner, but the final decision rests with the orchestra itself.
Also this week: Does everyone have a musical blind spot? When a prominent classical-music critic admitted he just can’t feel the love for music of Philip Glass, he incited a firestorm of commentary. So tell us: who are the composer you love—or love to hate? Plus: SymphonyNOW catches up with orchestras that are helping the needy as part of the Orchestras Feeding America food drive.
SymphonyNOW is the League’s new, online-only publication, with timely stories about orchestras every week. You’ll find SymphonyNOW on the right-hand side of the Hub homepage.
Posted February 10, 2012
