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Monday, September 18, 2023
San Francisco Symphony Personnel Changes
Well, there's a ton going on; I have a number of appointments and a couple of departures to report on. Look for an article in SFCV a week from tomorrow with full details.
Looking forward to seeing your take on it all. We heard the new Associate Principal Flute during her trial week and she was fantastic. We're really looking forward to hearing the new flute section! SFS choristers that I know are happy with the new director appointment.
I was shocked to see the Symphony is preparing for a major remodel and expansion of Davies Hall, given the extended and controversial contract negotiations. Have you heard anything from the musicians about it? I would think they would be furious, and rightfully so. If the Symphony can afford a building upgrade, why can't they afford to pay their musicians properly? They ARE the Symphony!
It's wild - I mean, I think that Davies is kind of a white elephant, in terms of the initial acoustical design, and the way the building is totally disconnected from the street, with the horrible first-floor facade and the meanness of the ticketing area. And Lake Louise is a complete waste; WHY would you use prime real estate as a parking lot??
I should say that when Salonen was hired I made a couple of jokes about whether a Frank Gehry concert hall would follow. If they can make Davies a showcase for great music, more power to them, but it can't come at the expense of the musicians.
Yes! Everything you say is spot on. I do wonder if this means Salonen is likely to renew his contract. I'm rooting for that, but as you say, not at the expense of the musicians.
Looking forward to seeing your take on it all. We heard the new Associate Principal Flute during her trial week and she was fantastic. We're really looking forward to hearing the new flute section! SFS choristers that I know are happy with the new director appointment.
ReplyDeleteI heard her too, and also Yubeen Kim, the new principal flute. She is excellent but he has the more beautiful sound.
ReplyDeleteI'm very glad to hear that the choristers are happy with Jenny Wong!
I was shocked to see the Symphony is preparing for a major remodel and expansion of Davies Hall, given the extended and controversial contract negotiations. Have you heard anything from the musicians about it? I would think they would be furious, and rightfully so. If the Symphony can afford a building upgrade, why can't they afford to pay their musicians properly? They ARE the Symphony!
ReplyDeleteHi, Josh - um wow. I have not seen anything about this. Do you have a link to a story about these plans? (I will do a web search right now....)
ReplyDeleteWell holy shit, no wonder they can't afford to pay the musicians:
ReplyDeleteSan Francisco Symphony Plans To Transform Parking Lot Into Expansive Performance Space
THANK YOU.
I know! It's so messed up! Google showed me an article on it last night in the SF Standard and then I found it on the Symphony website.
DeleteFound on the SFS web site:
ReplyDeleteSan Francisco Symphony enters entitlement process for potential renovations to Davies Symphony Hall
It's wild - I mean, I think that Davies is kind of a white elephant, in terms of the initial acoustical design, and the way the building is totally disconnected from the street, with the horrible first-floor facade and the meanness of the ticketing area. And Lake Louise is a complete waste; WHY would you use prime real estate as a parking lot??
ReplyDeleteI should say that when Salonen was hired I made a couple of jokes about whether a Frank Gehry concert hall would follow. If they can make Davies a showcase for great music, more power to them, but it can't come at the expense of the musicians.
Yes! Everything you say is spot on. I do wonder if this means Salonen is likely to renew his contract. I'm rooting for that, but as you say, not at the expense of the musicians.
ReplyDeleteAnd see my new post!
ReplyDelete