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Should the Los Angeles Philharmonic hire a local Angelino conductor?
Results so far:
| Yes | 59% | 162 votes | Total: 273 votes | |
| No | 41% | 111 votes |
Yes
by John Sarkis
Created on: June 13, 2008 Last Updated: June 14, 2008
It's surprising to me, that a world famous orchestra like the LA Phil has never had a "native born angelino " conductor. To add "insult to injury," it has only had one American-born conductor in its close to 90 year history (Chicago born).
Here is a list of all the conductors they've had, and their tenure: Walter Henry Rothwell 1919-1927 (English), Georg Schneevoigt 1927-1929 (Finnish), Artur Rodzinski 1929-1933 (Polish), Otto Klemperer 1933-1939 (German), Alfred Wallenstein 1943-1956 (Only American born, but Chicago), Eduard van Beinum 1956-1959 (Dutch), Zubin Mehta 1962-1978 (Indian), Carlo Maria Giulini 1978-1984 (Italian), Andre Previn 1985-1989 (German), Esa Pekka Salonen 1992-Present (Finnish), last but not least is the one that's going to replace him: Gustavo Dudamel (Venezuelan).
As if this wasn't bad enough: the City of Los Angeles donated 110 million dollars to build the garage of the famous "Walt Disney music Hall" (The current home of the LA Phil). If you look at the history of the New York Phil, another world great orchestra. Its had few American-born conductors as well. The only difference being: Leonard Bernstein is one of the most famous musical names of the 20th century. No other classical musician comes close to him in either fame, or reputation. On the other hand: few have heard of Alfred Wallenstein (the only American conductor the LA Phil has ever had) and today, he's all but forgotten....
If you go to UCLA, USC, or any other respectful university in California: you'll find many people with PHDs in music. Are you telling me: in almost 90 years; the Los Angeles Phil couldn't find anyone who was born in California? This is "too much of a coincidence to be a coincidence!" My gripe isn't nationality or ethnic related! I don't have a problem with Dudamel being from Venezuela, anymore than I have a problem with Klemperer being a German Jew; or with Beinum being Dutch, etc....
I'm proud to be an "angelino." I love the orchestra, but its history is very puzzling to me. If not a native Californian; I would love to see them hire another American as their principal conductor during my lifetime. Believe it or not: an American-born conductor would only be the 'second such person' in the orchestra's 90 year history. Dudamel is very talented, and he'll be great as the lastest addition to the family, but really...there's a lot of talent out there, much in Los Angeles (believe it or not), and its time for this great orchestra to find a native born to carry on their tradition of greatness, and furthermore: to show the world, something good can come out of Los Angeles....
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No
by Joan Hall
Created on: July 31, 2009
Obviously, those of us who are answering this question with a "No" are not saying that the Los Angeles Philharmonic should actively exclude local-born conductors, only that they should not exclude anyone else, either. I don't believe that there has been any kind of intentional discrimination against our local musicians that would necessitate affirmative action.
Los Angeles is a world-class city that attracts exceptional people from everywhere. In 1961, it attracted my father who left St. Louis with an Associate Degree in Pre-Engineering, but demonstrated the intelligence, talent, and motivation to become Chief Deputy Director of the County Department of Public Works (the #2 man in the entire department). The fact that he wasn't born here doesn't make him any less of a credit to our city.
All over the world, the most capable and most ambitious people come to Los Angeles to shine. That is how it should be when the eyes of the world are on us.
This is a city of opportunity for all. That's what we were for my dad. That's what we are to many great musicians and artists as well. If Gustavo Dudamel has a talent that is worthy of the finest venues in the world, should he be restricted to only take positions with orchestras in Venezuela? If he's world-class caliber, we will be as good for him as he will be for us.
I'm proud of the fact that we attract the best of the best. I'm proud of the fact that brilliant musicians like Igor Stravinsky and Arnold Schoenberg decided to make Los Angeles their home. To continue to have a world-class arts community, we must be open to the best artists from everywhere.
If it's important to us to see a local directing the Philharmonic, we need to do everything we can to nurture our local talent. Make our own people the best of the best. We need to keep arts education in our school system, to make sure there are plenty of low-cost opportunities for our young people to experience great music, to see to it that talented young people can get serious musical training if they want it, regardless of their income level. When the day comes that we do hire a Los-Angeles native to conduct the Philharmonic, it won't be because we decided that it was finally time to get someone who's native-born, it will be because he or she is the best candidate around.
Learn more about this author, Joan Hall.
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