 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: diz
Date: 2005-08-05 02:22
A famous German composer (Paul Hindemith) used a Pittsburgh theme in one of his orchestral works ... can anyone name that song he used? (I happen to know it, don't ask how, but I do) hint - don't think music as a reference point
Without music, the world would be grey, very grey.
Post Edited (2005-08-05 02:23)
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Author: Tom A
Date: 2005-08-05 08:56
I can name it, Diz, but I may get arrested if I tried to pronounce it.
If I read this right, the musicians' financial planners must charge danger money for having to deal with the large changes in salary from year to year.
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2005-08-05 13:17
That's easy:
"Here we go Steelers, here we go........"
Yoi and double yoi
More seriously, there is a poll available http://r04.webmail.aol.com/MessageList.aspx#
to register your indignation about the loss of live music
If my link does not work, try the TribuneReview at the link in the original posters' (GBK) message above, then hit "entertainment" along the title bar, and look on the right side of the page.
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
Post Edited (2005-08-05 13:41)
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Author: BobD
Date: 2005-08-05 14:18
Well, at least we can get into the Pitts newspaper article! Perhaps Pitts sym is already a "stepping stone orch". I wonder, for example how its salary structure etc etc compare to the Milwaukee sym. Both Milw and Pitts are western counterparts of larger "top stone" orchs. If orchestras were managed like corporations rather than schools maybe things would be different.
Bob Draznik
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Author: Terry Stibal
Date: 2005-08-05 14:27
Part of the problem in Pittsburgh may have to do with the demise of the local "deep pockets" folks that normally fund operations like symphonies, opera, theater and art museums. All of those smoking smokestacks that used to make Pittsburgh a dark and dreary metropolis have been snuffed out as the "heavy industry" in the area gradually relocated to the South and overseas.
While the likes of the Carnegie endowment has long been a thing of the past, former giants like US Steel, the kind of company that would have shelled out buckets of money for such amenities, are as dead as a doornail. When there's no water in the bucket in the first place, it's hard to spare a little for "extras" like art music.
leader of Houston's Sounds Of The South Dance Orchestra
info@sotsdo.com
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Author: msloss
Date: 2005-08-05 14:37
Orchestras are managed exactly like corporations and that is the problem. You have overcompensated executives that don't relate to their marketplace, a board comprising people who don't know the business and provide poor oversight, and a unionized labor force that doesn't understand the economics of the enterprise. You can almost consider the overpriced journeyman conductors as consultants who come in, charge an extraordinarily large amount of money, and then jet out before the s**t hits the fan.
"Here we go Steelers" indeed. There is more civic pride in the NFL franchise than the orchestra. And that isn't blue state arrogance talking either. I think the ratio of interested to disinterested is the same in NY, Chicago, SF, LA, etc., but the population is so large and concentrated that even a small percentage represents a sustainable interest in cultural institutions (barely). In NY we've also got two NFL teams, two ML baseball teams, two NBA teams, three NHL teams, etc., which starts to prove out the population multiplier effect.
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2005-08-05 15:20
Perhaps the problem lies in two areaa....program choice and maybe also in the loss of Jansons as MusDir, who was a big draw.
Their stated problem is loss of subscription concertgoers, not the big bucks donors. BUT the Pops segment does well at the box office. So.........
The solution might be as follows:
1. Select a magnetic MDir. who can be a cohesive force. (Hey, I think that
Alsop was well-received in da burgh)
2. Continue to include NEW music, but also begin or end the concert with
some good ol axx-kickin overatures or hummable item that will put a smile
on the erstwhile pops-lovers' faces. e.g. start off with Zampa ov. then do
the Anton Webern atonal wretched obligatory "hey we are with it"
stuff, then the concerto or Tsch.5 or some combination thereof.
FWIW I am a subscription subscriber and Encore level donor at the PSO. I really like the new music and the more obscure items, but I realize that many potential concert attendees want the warhorses as well.
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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Author: BobD
Date: 2005-08-05 20:21
"Orchestras are managed exactly like corporations and that is the problem"
I think you've got something there. But there must be some orchestras that are not having significant financial problems....mustn't there?
Maybe Pitts should outsource their concerts. Say, have some Chinese orchestra flown in and...........
Bob Draznik
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Author: clarinetist04
Date: 2005-08-07 02:45
I wouldn't ever consider the PSO a stepping-stone orchestra. Having said that, take a look at the EXTREMELY NEARBY prospective attendees that aren't catered to: students. Us students in the area don't get targeted even though there are two small, but heavily music-focused, schools (CMU and Duquesne) as well as a very well known and huge school (UPitt) not to mention 5 or 6 small schools (Carlow, Robert Morris, etc.). They never publish advertisements in our publications, whether it be the school newspapers or the free online or departmental newsletters we get.
Another problem is that Pittsburgh is an OLD town. The old money is dying and there are very few families that are moving into this city. (We need a good motto...Bristol, VA's town motto is "A Nice Place to Live") You have older people who have lived here there whole lives (most of the suberbs), students (a lot, but not a whole population's worth), and the very small population of families who move here for their jobs and then move away; at least that's what I've gathered from my observations.
Ugh, there's so many problems with this city that a good city government could fix...oy, well we don't have a good city government. And old-money donations dwindle. Hopefully the PSO will be able to get their act together...I plan on contributing my 4 concerts worth of ticket money.
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2005-08-07 04:26
One BIG problem in da burgh is lack of IN-TOWN living.
When a retailer goes belly-up, town planners look for another retailer to fill its place (and their tax coffers). They should instead renovate the structure for "dahntahn" living, and offer tax incentives to the developers and to the patrons. This will revitalize the cultural area.
Some planners have finally realized this. Notice the renovations east of 6th St along Penn ave.
...about targeting DU and CMU etc.....hey, get a newspaper or go online. PSO has a website.
Next contact Mr. Tambouri of the PSO and check out discounted tix. While you are about it, post on their message board. Also consider going to Nuance chamber concerts at the JCC, the inexpensive chamber series at CMU Hall, and the great Sunday faculty recitals at Pappert....all are nicely displayed online with a little googling.
Next see if you can get a carpool or shuttle going to the chosen venue.
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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