BOSTON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

“The Boston Symphony Orchestra.” Those words normally bring music to my ears.  But a powerfully divisive issue within the symphony is causing big trouble.  To put it simply, there are those who love the current Conductor and those who don’t.  And, as such issues are wont to do, it’s gotten ugly.

A short recap in the New York Times reports that Tanglewood, the BSO’s summer retreat and concert venue, may look as idyllic as ever but this week it felt angry and combustible. Harsh words indeed. On so many levels. 

I worked at the New England Conservatory of Music over 60 years ago!!! The Conservatory is right across the street from Symphony Hall and most of the teachers at the Conservatory were members of the BSO.  We would walk across the street for Wednesday afternoon rehearsals. 

One of my jobs at the Conservatory was that of “telephone operator.”  The Mister located a picture of our “system.” (See above.) And, yes, I remember it fondly.

Since all this was long before cell phones, the teachers/musicians frequently stopped by our offices to check for messages. And to share the gossip of the day, of course. As a result, we got to know most of the BSO members.  And they knew us. What a treat it was to see and hear our “friends,” way up on the big stage, making beautiful music together. 

It pains me, literally, to imagine the current situation. The Tanglewood situation alone causes angst Yes, I may have been there when we lived in a bubble, but it was a lovely, creative and joyful bubble. To see it go “poof,” just like that, is heartbreaking.