In Thursday’s (11/8) Jerusalem Post, Maxim Reider writes, “Vladimir Jurowski, one of the leading conductors of his generation, makes his Israeli debut, leading the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra in a concert performance of Tchaikovsky’s opera Pique Dame (Queen of Spades). … Since 2006, Jurowski has been the principal conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra. He also appears worldwide with leading orchestras. … ‘Our profession has changed a lot,’ says Jurowski. He explains that the role of a conductor is inseparable from the development of society and the role of a political or spiritual leader in a community. … ‘Our profession reached its peak in the 1930s, with many outstanding conductors being active in that period. But it was also a time when strong totalitarian leaders came to power in different parts of the world, and there is an obvious correlation between the two processes: This is about people yearning for a strong hand,’ he says. … ‘Nowadays, the idea of a powerful personality who imposes his will on others is unthinkable, and there is something anachronistic in the role of conductor. At the same time, the overall professional level of an average orchestra player has grown immensely, which allows a conductor—who is now primus inter pares [first among equals] and not a dictator—to dedicate himself to music making.’ ”
Posted November 8, 2012
