Klarinet Archive - Posting 000187.txt from 2003/09

From: Tom.Henson@-----.com
Subj: [kl] Documentary on London Philharmonia Orchestra on Ovation Channel
Date: Tue, 9 Sep 2003 12:55:20 -0400

I saw a three part documentary last night on the Ovation channel (U.S.)
which documented the London Philharmonia Orchestra over a single season and
focused on some of the musicians and their lives with the orchestra. It was
called "The Phil".

The documentary is not new; I believe it was made in 1999 or 2000. Each part
was one hour in length and chronicled the life of the orchestra as a whole
and some of it's members.

It was a honest and gritty behind the scenes view of daily life in a world
class orchestra. Needless to say, it was quite revealing. I think watching a
documentary of this sort should be mandatory for anyone aspiring to become a
professional orchestral musician. I would also recommend watching all three
episodes at the same time for maximum effect and continuity.

It brought back my experience playing in an Army band for almost three years
non-stop. I could empathize with many of the problems that the musicians
were going through. Mainly a lack of time to have a life outside of the
orchestra with family and friends. Burn out was another one. One member
admitted to being a recovering alcoholic and said that alcoholism is very
common among professional musicians and orchestral players. Wow!!

At least two or more players said that they did not want their children to
become professional musicians and had they known what was in store for them
would have had second thoughts about it themselves. Yet all had a love for
music that was a driving force in their life. One even called it a ball and
chain.

I talked with my wife about this (who also has a professional music
background) and she agreed. Burnout and boredom (repetition) can be a killer
of your love of music. The demands of performance can take the fun out of
it.

In addition, it is a sad fact that classical music is on life support today
in many places. The commercial side of maintaining a world class orchestra
is becoming harder and harder. I fear that many music directors are finding
the commercial aspects of classical music the main and only driving force
anymore. Let's face it, a professional orchestra can not exist unless there
is a paying audience and sponsors. I know this may not be a new trend, but
it certainly hit home with me.

Has the time come where the business model for an orchestra needs to evolve
or change? Maybe so. Are we perhaps progressing back to the point where the
orchestral music was only for the wealthy and elite? For those nobles that
could afford to have a court orchestra? I suspect that even in the days of
the court orchestras the musicians had many of the same problems as they do
today.

I would love to have the money to create a new type of orchestra. One where
the musicians and family traveled together. Where non performing spouses
worked behind the scenes helping out. One where the children were allowed to
apprentice and participate at some level of involvement. One where social
needs were balanced with commercial ones. After all, music is social in
nature. One where commercialism was not the driving force above all else,
but art for art sake. I know, I know; this is pie in the sky. But someone,
somewhere, will find a way to change the business model of the orchestra and
hopefully create new opportunities that do not exist today.

Van Morrison of the rock group the Doors said, "Music is spiritual. The
music business is not".

Tom Henson

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