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Re: Russianoff's students

Author: lmliberson
Date: 2024-07-01 14:42

"For example, when Drucker retired and sat on the audition committee for his replacement in the NY Philharmonic, given the fact that there was recordings of him performing many works, (in addition to versions of works he edited) if an auditioner was asked to play an except for such a work they might be wise to know how Drucker played it and play it similarly."

And what do you base this on?

While I wouldn't presume to know what every orchestra's audition procedures might be, the norm is that when one decides to leave an orchestra (through retirement, moving to another job, or non-renewal, for example), they have absolutely no role on an audition committee for the position they are vacating. In fact, they are generally forbidden from serving on such committees. Most orchestras have this written in their collective bargaining agreements. The New York Phil just happens to be one of those with contract language that states this very clearly. So, my question to you is how do you "know" if Stanley actually sat on an audition committee that chose the person who assumed his former chair?

Actually, when a player decides to leave an orchestra, they shouldn't participate in ANY audition committee. Only those who will be in the orchestra should be on committees to choose their future colleagues (and, of course, final decisions are made by the music directors).

Furthermore, sections evolve over time and the one thing we can agree on (or should) is that a lot has changed over the several decades that Stanley was in the orchestra in regards to personnel, conductors, and expectations and desires as to what other musicians in the orchestra (i.e., the various members of the orchestra who are seated on any given audition committee) are looking for in a player for that position. To say that because of recordings and editions and whatever else you think is (or should be?) part of the equation that someone should play those same parts similarly is, frankly, an example of idiocy. If a person goes from audition to audition attempting to imitate each and every person they hope to succeed in any given position, all that does is tell us that this person auditioning has absolutely no musical personality whatsoever.

I can't imagine that any audition committee is searching for a clone of a departing colleague and I highly doubt that those who might have sat on the committee to fill Stanley's position did either - the goal (as is the goal of every audition committee, btw) is to find the best qualified musician that fits their particular situation.

Stanley Drucker was a singular talent and personality in the New York Phil and, while in the orchestra, was a living legend. But he left the orchestra and his former position was filled by another incredible talent and musician in Anthony - and as Donald just mentioned, he hardly evokes Stanley's playing.

Please don't make things up - especially things of which you really have no idea.

Post Edited (2024-07-01 17:14)

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