San Francisco Classical Voice

I've stopped attending SFS(ymphony) concerts since the arrival of MTT, mostly because I think the Symphony exudes lots of glitz (the chrome and black marble kind) but no artistic soul. Case in point was a sold-out performance of a Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto with Argerich a couple of years ago: flashes of brilliant technique (one might say the performance was ALL technique), but no apparent effort at expression or interpretation.

I certainly agree that with many local composers, SFS(ymphony and other) ensembles should be highlighting new, local music. I've attended a couple of memorable new music (ink not even dry!) performances at UC Davis in the last year or so. Perhaps there's a legitimate role of the academe: to foster and support the leading edge of the musical envelope.

Best regards. You are doing an excellent job of commentary on the local classical scene.