This is a highly personal, but realistic, take on the most current status of orchestral music. I can attest to... [MORE]

Tom

Mar 20, 2008 23:45

Finally, a review where someone is willing to take the risk of telling it like it is. Perhaps if the... [MORE]

Don Skochinski

Mar 16, 2007 15:20

Although the big five is an outdated concept, these orchestras still hold more prestige over any of the orchestras mentioned,... [MORE]

david

Jan 31, 2007 05:32

LA Phil: Last year I had the unique pleasure of hearing the San Francisco Symphony and the Los Angeles Philharmonic... [MORE]

ben dominitz

Jan 2, 2007 20:19

finally someone said what had to be said - thank you - please write more honest articles like this [MORE]

a

Dec 25, 2006 21:59

Do you realize you've just criticized some of the greatest musicians in the world? The New York Philharmonic comments in... [MORE]

CK

Dec 13, 2006 23:08

This is big to hear that Pittsburgh is in the Top 5. As a Pittsburgh Symphony fan and concert "goer"... [MORE]

Neil L. King

Dec 11, 2006 09:43

Subjective appraisals are really of value only to the ones making them. Do you hear, see, feel or imagine what... [MORE]

Forrest

Dec 10, 2006 15:08

I'm not sure how any of your so-called top five orchestras would fare if they had world orchestra parading past... [MORE]

George

Dec 9, 2006 11:20

Obviously this writer has both hearing and visual problems. I have been in this profession for 65 years and know... [MORE]

Pierre Medard

Dec 9, 2006 11:12

Re: Eschenbach hiring Have we gotten to the point where "unilaterally and without consultation" means "had musician representation on the search... [MORE]

RAD

Dec 8, 2006 14:56

What a silly exercise. There are so many really fine orchestras in this country why should anyone want to rate... [MORE]

D. Th. J.

Dec 7, 2006 19:23

It's funny to me to see how passionate some people are about something that matters so little. From Bruce, who... [MORE]

Brian

Dec 7, 2006 16:02

According to whom? I make my own aesthetic judgments in these matters. Always!

Patricia

Dec 7, 2006 10:11

I have to say I actually feel bad for you. If your ears are this bad that you think LA... [MORE]

An maestro that will remain nameless

Dec 6, 2006 18:18

As punishment for expressing sweeping opinions based on biased motives, Mr. Kirshnit ought to be sent to each city of... [MORE]

Steven Honigberg

Dec 6, 2006 17:37

Other than making the well-known point that there are many great orchestras in the US outside of New York, Boston,... [MORE]

Marko Velikonja

Dec 6, 2006 14:20

For sheer versatility, the Boston Symphony under James Levine is arguably the finest orchestra in America. Its winds and brass... [MORE]

marc

Jan 25, 2008 12:51

I think Mr. Kirshnit nailed it with the inclusion of Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. The only quibble I have is replacing... [MORE]

pa

Dec 6, 2006 14:05

It has long been an "open secret" that there were several orchestras out there that could play at the same... [MORE]

Bruce B.

Dec 6, 2006 12:56

The concept of the Big Five among Among Orchestras has long made sense. The Boston Symphony, Chicago Symphony, and Philadelphia... [MORE]

John L. Turner, MD

Dec 6, 2006 09:38

Any orchestra alive today is worth listening too. The environment is far from friendly to classical music and only the... [MORE]

Marvin E. Gozum, MD

Dec 8, 2006 07:48

I regret that Mr. Kirshnit's observations on the New York Philharmonic are amazingly short-sighted. Can he actually forget that when... [MORE]

Lloyd Paguia Arriola

Dec 6, 2006 04:42

I don't understand the purpose of this article. Doe Mr. Kirshnit think he's cutting edge by writing this? Look, we've... [MORE]

Ken

Dec 5, 2006 21:13

One more example of Fred Kirshnit's bellyaching about how good things "used to be." It makes one wonder - if... [MORE]

sh

Dec 5, 2006 11:04

I agree completely. This gentleman is a windbag with nothing insightful to say. What arrogance to think he has the... [MORE]

Laura Waterland

Dec 6, 2006 08:00

The Sun should have emblazoned "Opinion" over this article. Certainly the writer stands outside of the consensus of received opinion.... [MORE]

Mark Stenroos

Dec 6, 2006 13:56

Music is art, and art should be experienced and enjoyed and discussed in a civilized manner. I can be... [MORE]

Mark B

Dec 6, 2006 17:04

"One wonders why the NYPO is obsessed with conductors whose surnames begin with "M," but at least they got it... [MORE]

Michael

Dec 6, 2006 18:46

"One wonders why the NYPO is obsessed with conductors whose surnames begin with "M," but at least they got it... [MORE]

Michael

Dec 6, 2006 18:48

Of course this article is an opinion--that much should be obvious. I agree with the bulk of your defense or... [MORE]

Erich

Dec 7, 2006 22:38

Dear Erich - Well, you seem to ignore the qualifier to my statement that the top orchestras had little room to... [MORE]

Mark Stenroos

Dec 13, 2006 16:58