The New York Times recently ran a profile of conductor Alan Gilbert and his work as Music Director at the New York Philharmonic. It's both a good read to understand more of what's going on with the New York Philharmonic, but also to understand the challenges of leading an orchestra these days.
"If he has struggled at times, it may be because being a music director these days is close to impossible. Great musicianship is just a start. Then you have to make nice with silver-haired donors while also persuading young professionals you’re one of them. You have to be a marketer and a de facto fund-raiser in chief while upholding artistic values. You have to inspire the players. You have to thrill audiences with the canonical classics and with new work."
Read it online here: "Alan Gilbert Wanted to Save the New York Philharmonic. What Happened?" by Michael Cooper [nytimes.com].
