Leading Tones by Leonard Slatkin

Author:Leonard Slatkin
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: memoir;classical music
Publisher: Amadeus Press
Published: 2017-09-25T17:09:42+00:00

I

On January 14, 2014, the lockout ended. With musicians facing the loss of unemployment benefits and the board looking at a possible revocation of the license for Orchestra Hall, each side finally reached the endgame.

But for almost a year and a half Minneapolis was without its resident orchestra. Everyone tried to put a good face on the settlement; however, it was not difficult to read between the lines. Without a music director, with so much bitterness, and without really knowing what public support was left, it was clear that a very long road to recovery lay ahead.

Less than twenty-four hours after the Minnesota compromise, the Detroit Symphony Orchestra announced that it had reached a new three-year deal with its musicians. This occurred eight months prior to the expiration of the old contract. One orchestra continued to rise from the ashes. The other would have to climb much higher to get above the debris.

Minnesota’s road to recovery was given a strong boost when the music director decided to revoke his resignation. More and more, the orchestra and board realized that their responsibility to the community came first.

Relations between the board and the orchestra have improved immensely. The Minnesota Orchestra has made successful trips to Europe, Carnegie Hall, and Cuba. It used to be that when things went well, it was because the orchestra played great, and that when they went badly, it was marketing’s fault. Not now. The players have become more friendly to the audience and will even bend contract rules in the interest of selling tickets.

Money remains a difficult issue, as it is with almost every major American orchestra. How every orchestra handles future negotiations will be under intense scrutiny. It is a rough road the vast majority of arts organizations must travel these days.

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