Jessye Norman's 'Ask Your Mama' production at Baltimore Symphony canceled
One of the most enticing events on the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra's 2009-2010 lineup has been canceled: Ask Your Mama, a multi-genre, multi-media presentation featuring stellar soprano Jessye Norman that was a big hit at Carnegie Hall last season. The BSO was to have presented it as a "premium concert" in February, conducted by Marin Alsop.
"Scheduling conflicts" are blamed. BSO VP Eileen Andrews Jackson says that three of the instrumental musicians involved in the production have been engaged in the house band of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon since the BSO signed the deal and are no longer available for the tightly constructed Ask Your Mama program. (You'd think three good players could be found somewhere who could step in smoothly well before February.)
To replace Jessye and company, the BSO will ...
offer a program that includes a suite from Gershwin's Porgy and Bess (vocal soloists to be announced). This adds even more Gershwin to a season that already lists Rhapsody in Blue, Concerto in F, 'I Got Rhythm' Variations and the rarely performed Blue Monday.
In other season updates, the soprano soloist for Mahler's Fourth in November has been announced: Susanna Phillips. She'll also sing three concert arias by Mozart on that program. The cello soloist in Beethoven's Triple Concerto in May will now be Amit Peled, replacing former BSO principal cellist Ilya Finkelshteyn, who is heading to the Cincinnati Symphony next season. And the performance of Brahms' German Requiem in June will feature the Washington Chorus, replacing the Baltimore Choral Arts Society and Morgan State University Choir.
BALTIMORE SUN FILE PHOTO
Comments
What is the thinking behind Ilya Finkelshteyn moving to Cincinnati next year? Is that really forward progress or just a lateral move due to other reasons?
Also, if you have an idea, any suggestion on a book or other source that explains the basics on the movements various conductors use to lead an orchestra?
Thanks.
Ilya's move has raised any number of eyebrows. That orchestra's finances have been even more troubled than the BSO's. Musically, however, it is a different atmosphere, and he told me simply wanted a change. Definitely our loss. As for conducting, there is a a book called Conducting Technique for Beginners and Professionals available through Amazon (they have links to cheap used copies). Also, you can find articles and charts on the Web just by googling conducting technique or patterns. I hope that helps. And thanks for commenting. TIM
Posted by: Ray M | July 21, 2009 7:09 PM
Odd turn of events -- not that I had any real musical interest in "Ask Your Mama" myself, but Hughes' poems (and Karpman's music) definitely deserved a showcase here. I would seriously doubt that interest would be low enough to warrant cancellation (quite the opposite!), so methinks maybe Ms. Norman & Co. just didn't feel like making the trip...
(Just like the cancellation of Wainwright's "Prima Donna" at the Met, the excuse here sounds a bit convoluted and silly. Can't they at least generate some better BS??? [Thus illustrating the difference between "creative" and "administrative/commercial!"] )
And, to replace it, oh goody, oh joy, please hold me back: MORE Gershwin!!! Like the season didn't have _enough_ of ol' Gershowitz already... Do these folks know how to do pedestrian programming or what?!!
Sorry, just had to vent!
Consider this your vent-away zone. Cheers. TIM
Posted by: Doug Halfen | July 21, 2009 8:30 PM
I came to BSO concerts to see my idol Ilya Finkelshteyn . What a loss!!!
Posted by: John | July 22, 2009 12:28 PM
Cincinnati's finances are not more troubled than the BSO's. Surely he will make a good deal more money there. Even their base salary is a good deal more, but he likely negotiated a better overscale at the CSO than the BSO, which pays notoriously low overscale, except for the concertmaster.
Posted by: Mo | July 23, 2009 7:25 AM