Letters: Innovation requires that orchestra take risks

As the founder and past music director of the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia (formerly Concerto Soloists Chamber Orchestra), I would like to share some thoughts regarding Peter Dobrin's article last Sunday ("Time to listen to a maestro").

First of all, it's good that the Philadelphia Orchestra is thinking out of the box. Embellishing the experience for the audience with creative presentations, the nurturing of audience/community relations, a savvy marketing campaign, and continuing to play brilliantly under a new, inspiring leader, could be the recipe for success. But for the product to be made relevant and exciting, risks will have to be taken.

Yannick Nezet-Seguin is indeed wise to "convene a creative team of individuals." Concerto Soloists had an artistic advisory committee that I found very useful. It is simply not possible for a conductor to know every piece of music that is out there. Our committee, which included our president as well as an orchestra member, brought very interesting music (and soloists) to my attention. But I made the final artistic decisions. Nezet-Seguin will undoubtedly do the same. So I think Dobrin was making a straw man in asserting that orchestra president Allison Vulgamore will be making artistic decisions.

Dobrin also underestimates how much multimedia can add to the musical experience. To suggest that the orchestra's innovative plans may relegate it to a "visual prop," such as what he witnessed with a visiting freelance orchestra, is insulting.

I also thought it presumptuous to wonder if Nezet-Seguin has "the technical ability to elicit what he wants" from the orchestra. Of course he does.

Marc Mostovoy

Philadelphia