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U.S. Symphony Orchestras

Here's a link to a Wikipedia list of US symphony orchestras. What immediately struck me was how large a list it is. For instance, from my adobe in southeast Michigan I have access to four orchestras, including a major one, the Detroit SO. This may sound heretical, but are there too many symphonies? The poor economic health of many of the orchestras would support the over abundance argument. It's possible that a severe contraction in the number of orchestra could occur.

There was a "Gramaphone" article a few years back about the top twenty orchestras in the world. US orchestras showed very strong with seven institutions named. Anybody have any ideas about how to keep the best of these orchestras solvent and still performing?
128x128onhwy61
learsfool
1,215 posts
 
Route9, many people would still put the BSO in the top ten - certainly there would be no debate about them being among the top ten American orchestras. As for the whole world, they would still probably make that list too, though it might be close. What was odd to me about that Gramophone list was the large number of Russian orchestras. Yes, there are some good ones, but that number of them in the top 20 in the world most musicians would probably not agree with.

You are correct about the BSO's endowment, too. They will be the last orchestra standing, for sure.
slipknot1
1,423 posts
 
... I'd just hate to symphony orchestra go the way of the vinyl record.
Onhwy61 (System | Threads | Answers | This Thread)

Actually, that's exactly what we would like to see happen. A resurgence of orchestra popularity not unlike what is happening with LP's. Sales of turntables and vinyl are going up every year.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,179 posts
 
Wow, I get to the Meyerhoff for the BSO frequently. Didn't realize the BSO was so well endowed. Glad to hear that. The BSO and Meyerhoff is an oasis for lovers of good music in Baltimore. I notice the aging clientele when I go. Lots of grey hair. The BSO seems to be doing things to try to broaden their appeal, pops concerts and such. The US needs its symphony orchestras to help offset the power of pop culture otherwise. Its a tough battle, but hopefully good taste perseveres.
rok2id's avatar
rok2id
7,859 posts
 
"Its a tough battle, but hopefully good taste perseveres."

This attitude is part of the problem. Good taste? Music is music, none of it is better than any other. And to most people it reinforces the commonly held view that classical music is for snobs. Being a snob is frowned upon in the young world.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,179 posts
 
"Music is music, none of it is better than any other."

Kinda like "No Child Left Behind" then I suppose. I know what your saying but find it hard to say that all music is created equal.

I suppose it could be argued that fine arts in general appeals to snobs, almost by definition. There is surely a correlation. Does that make all lovers of a particular fine art, whatever that may be, snobs? Are rappers who look down on classical music snobs?

I think snobbery refers to how people perceive others relative to themselves. Determining one to be a snob based on the the kind of music they appreciate would seem to be a form of snobbery in of itself.
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