Word: borda
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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...might appear that the great symphonic works would lift the spirit profoundly as well, but symphonic organizations have not been as successful in refreshing their audiences. Deborah Borda, executive director of the New York Philharmonic, is lucky to have as maestro Kurt Masur, who works tirelessly to pull in kids and young people. He is backed up by flexible formats, moderate prices and gimmicks like rush-hour concerts. But, Borda says, sighing: "we don't have wigs and makeup onstage, nor the emergence of such megastars as Pavarotti. People of that nature really broke down barriers and created accessibility...
...response, orchestras are busy innovating. The New York Philharmonic, invigorated under the new leadership of managing director Deborah Borda and conductor Kurt Masur, recently instituted a series of informal Rush Hour Concerts, which begin at 6:45 p.m. and feature off-the-cuff commentary from the podium before each piece. The New York musicians also open up the stage to local schoolchildren, encouraging them to try out the instruments, as do players in Baltimore and elsewhere. "It is wonderful to interact with the kids and to see my colleagues do something from the heart," says Baltimore flutist Mark Sparks...
...measure of the future will be, How can we respond to this changing society and time that we are in?" observes the New York Philharmonic's Borda. "Those who haven't got the vision and the courage to make some of the changes that are going to be needed will fall by the wayside. That may not be a bad thing." In short: some may die that others might live. After all, the American orchestra first arose in response to a city's needs. In the end, a solid, productive marriage between ensemble and community may be the soundest innovation...