jolene

Sat, 07 Jul 2007 09:43:58 -0800

Great interview! I loved the depth and the details of the questions asked. A good interview often brings a new appreciation for things unseen, and this interview did so. Looking forward to seeing more.

guest

Fri, 06 Jul 2007 23:44:42 -0800

Your interview with the assistant conductor of SF Syphony, James Gaffigan, is one more exercise on a verbal treadmill leading to oblivion. There are two areas for debate because symphony orchestras throughout America are in financial ruin, destined to disband within the next three years. Orchestras are costly dinosaurs of the 20th century. First is their size. Why pay 100 musicians when 25 with digital electronics can perform the same effects, even better. Second, concerts are too long and tend to bore audiences. An hour at most is sufficient in an age when time is money, consumer debt is in the trillions and the war costs 16 billion a month. Obviously with higher taxes ahead and the cost of living up 35% in 2008, people need more time to earn money. Not sit in a concert hall hearing music they've heard many times over. A prudent conductor would feel the shame and pain endured by its audience as most think "for God's sake establish the melody, give a sound bite to each section and then jump to the coda." That approach would truly endear an audience to its orchestra. And lower ticket prices would result with fewer musicians to pay. It's time for dramatic changes. Sincerely, Bruce Spencer, former musician who gained his freedom from the treadmill and found a life. Thanks for reading. (spencerprods@yahoo.com)

sfmike

Fri, 06 Jul 2007 10:38:12 -0800

Nice interview. As for Brahms, MTT seems to be exploring that composer this year fairly extensively, ending the season with a "Brahms Festival," which I'm afraid I will be rigorously avoiding.

SFist: SFist Interviews James Gaffigan, SF Symphony Associate Conductor

jolene

guest

sfmike