Temirkanov challenges legitimacy of 'Tchaikovsky' orchestra
Seems that a Web site for that ensemble contained misleading visual and audio. "The photograph was of the St. Petersburg Philharmonic," Wakin reports, "and the video showed the St. Petersburg State Academic Symphony Orchestra. Both were playing in the city’s Philharmonic Hall, where the Tchaikovsky orchestra does not perform."
Temirkanov, former music director of the Baltimore Symphony, is quoted as saying:
The conductor of the orchestra in question disputes Temirkanov's viewpoint, but, judging by the Times article, hard evidence of a fully viable musical institution with a solid past and a sturdy present is on the scanty side. Maybe more info will be revealed in time.
None of this will surprise anyone who has spotted questionable orchestras and ballet companies from Russia popping up on these shores over the decades, touted in ads that suggest great credentials ("Leading Stars of the Bolshoi!!!"), but turn out to be essentially freelance outfits put together to capitalize on the marketability of Russian culture.
Not that I'm passing judgment on the "Tchaikovsky" St. Petersburg State Orchestra, but, really, doesn't that name make you wonder?
Comments
That is odd, and I'm tempted to do a bit more digging on the perf histories of the singers mentioned at the end of the NYTimes piece. If this is a sham ensemble, what would the role of Columbia Artists be? I wouldn't think a management group would back a non-existent ensemble, however.
Maybe just a case of a gussied up freelance ensemble, easier for a management firm to represent. Whatever, it's an intriguing story. TIM
Posted by: Laura | April 26, 2011 10:09 AM