schwarz to leave seattle symphony September 10, 2008
Posted by Charles Noble in : conducting, labor issues, music, the orchestra world, add a comment
Gerard Schwarz - photo: Seattle P-I/Ben Van Houten
In a stunning announcement, the Seattle Symphony has issued a release stating that music director Gerard Schwarz will be stepping down at the conclusion of the 2010 - 2011 season. He will take on the role of conductor laureate beginning in 2011.
Seattle, WA – Gerard Schwarz, Seattle Symphony’s Music Director since 1985, has announced he will step down from that post when his current contract expires at the end of the 2010–2011 season. Maestro Schwarz made the announcement today from Benaroya Hall, the majestic venue he helped build ten years ago this season. Beginning with the 2011–2012 season, Schwarz will assume the lifetime title of Conductor Laureate and return to conduct the Orchestra for several weeks each season.
“The Seattle Symphony is among the finest orchestras in the world today. It has been my privilege to work alongside such a dedicated group of individuals – from the fine musicians, to the Board, to the Symphony administration who have all come together for the sole purpose of creating great art,” said Schwarz in making his announcement. “As we celebrate the 10th Anniversary of our magnificent Benaroya Hall and our extraordinary artistic accomplishments, I believe it is a fitting time to relinquish my Music Director responsibilities of this Orchestra, which has come to mean so much to me over the last 24 years. With my new position, I will be afforded the opportunity to continue a relationship with this fine Orchestra and focus on the music-making I love so dearly.”
Download and read the complete press release here.
Read the story from today’s Seattle P-I.
And from today’s New York Times.
field trip June 24, 2008
Posted by Charles Noble in : appreciation/criticism, cello, music, seattle, soloists & recitals, the orchestra world, 2commentsLast Friday, a group of us from the OSO went up to Seattle to hear a matinee performance of the Seattle Symphony. It was a group of management, staff, and musicians who made the trek. It was quite the interesting experience. Primarily, I’d like to provide my basic impressions of the experience as someone who’s only been to Benaroya Hall once before (to hear the Philadelphia Orchestra on tour last year). (more…)
seattle symphony 08-09 season announced February 22, 2008
Posted by Charles Noble in : music, seattle, soloists & recitals, the orchestra world, add a commentThere’s not a lot that I’m finding compelling in the Seattle Symphony’s 2008-2009 season, but there some events worth noting if you’re ever in the habit of taking in a couple concerts in the Emerald City. (more…)
seattle symphony loses star cellist January 30, 2008
Posted by Charles Noble in : News, music, the orchestra world, add a comment
UPDATE 1/31: see the article in the Seattle Times
Joshua Roman, the young (age 24) principal cellist hired by the Seattle Symphony in 2006, has informed the orchestra that he will not be returning to his position after the current season ends. (more…)
seattle violinist’s lawsuit dismissed January 26, 2008
Posted by Charles Noble in : labor issues, music, seattle, the orchestra world, add a commentThanks to James Bash who spotted this first.
A personal injury suit brought by violinist Peter Kaman against the Seattle Symphony was dismissed Friday in King County Superior Court. Kaman is a member of the Symphony’s first violin section.
Immediately after Judge Catherine Shaffer granted the symphony’s motion for summary judgment, Kaman’s lawyer, Brenda Little, said that she would appeal the decision. “We still believe in all of our discrimination claims. We are in this for the long haul.”
A violinist with the symphony for more than 25 years, Kaman also lost in court last month when Shaffer granted the orchestra’s request for summary judgment on another issue in the suit.
Read the whole story from the Seattle P-I here.
Also read James Bash’s review of the Ian Bostridge recital at Kaul Auditorium in Portland Thursday night.
more seattle news January 17, 2008
Posted by Charles Noble in : labor issues, music, seattle, the orchestra world, 1 comment so farThe Seattle Weekly has printed an article centering around the “one-woman law firm” of Brenda Little and her lawsuit against Gerard Schwarz and the Seattle Symphony on behalf of violinist Peter Kaman. Read the entire article here.
Here’s a tidbit: (more…)
letters in response to Seattle NYTimes article December 29, 2007
Posted by Charles Noble in : labor issues, music, the orchestra world, 1 comment so farIn the upcoming Sunday edition of the New York Times, several letters are printed in the Arts section - you can read the complete letters (as printed) here.
Here are some of the best parts of some of them: (more…)
