In Wednesday’s (8/1) Guardian (London), Lars Eriksen writes, “When the Jyske Ensemble orchestra realised it was to shut down after 24 years, the musicians decided to play a concert without wearing shoes—after all, they had now ‘popped their clogs’. Despite the gallows humour a harsh reality awaits the five remaining orchestra members once the final note is sounded at the end of this year. … Things had been looking ominous for some years. The Jyske Ensemble, based in Viborg on the Jutland peninsula, was one of six ‘basis ensembles’ in Denmark set up to work alongside the larger symphony orchestras, and help bring classical music to the regions while supporting music education in schools. The Danish Arts Council, which funds the basis ensembles, concluded in a report in 2008 that there were too many within the same region and Jyske Ensemble consequently lost its status. From 2011 its state funding was cut by almost 90% and while local councils stepped in to back the orchestra in the interim, it was always with a view to the arts council reinstating regular funding. When that request was turned down in May this year, it was curtains for the Jyske Ensemble.”
Posted August 2, 2012
