Canadian symphony orchestras

[Dan Koren]

It puzzles me that no Canadian symphony
orchestra counts as top tier. Canada is at
parity with the US in ice hockey -- why is
the same not possible in classical music?

dk

[Jerry]

If I recall correctly, three Canadian ensembles (Toronto, Montreal OSM, and
National Arts Centre Ottawa) were in the highest group at the
League of American orchestras, a ranking based on some formula primarily budget
related. I’m not aware of any other purely objective basis for ranking
orchestras, but look forward to reading others’ suggestions.

Subjective assessments are another matter. This month’s Gramophone,
for example, offers 10 nominees for their Orchestra of the Year award...

BRSO, Budapest Festival, Czech Phil., Halle, Les Siecles, Mahler Chamber,
Oslo, Pittsburgh, Sinfonia of London, Vienna Phil......

Really?

Jerry

[sci.space]

On Friday, September 16, 2022 at 8:02:04 PM UTC-4, dan....@gmail.com wrote:

If I recall correctly, the Montreal was held in high regard with many recordings to their credit, primarily due to their conductor Charles Dutoit. I think his Respighi LPs with that orchestra are among the best. He was removed from the orchestra when the members revolted that he worked them too hard and was abrasive. That seems to have been the end of Montreal as a seriously considered orchestra.

[raymond....@gmail.com]

On Saturday, 17 September 2022 at 20:41:31 UTC+10, Jerry wrote:
> If I recall correctly, three Canadian ensembles (Toronto, Montreal OSM, and
> National Arts Centre Ottawa) were in the highest group at the
> League of American orchestras, a ranking based on some formula primarily budget
> related. I’m not aware of any other purely objective basis for ranking
> orchestras, but look forward to reading others’ suggestions.
>
> Subjective assessments are another matter. This month’s Gramophone,
> for example, offers 10 nominees for their Orchestra of the Year award...
>
> BRSO, Budapest Festival, Czech Phil., Halle, Les Siecles, Mahler Chamber,
> Oslo, Pittsburgh, Sinfonia of London, Vienna Phil......
>
> Really?
>
> Jerry

> iOn Friday, September 16, 2022 at 8:02:04 PM UTC-4, dan....gmail.com wrote:
> > It puzzles me that no Canadian symphony
> > orchestra counts as top tier. Canada is at
> > parity with the US in ice hockey -- why is
> > the same not possible in classical music?
> >
> > dk

Tafelmusik under Bruno Weil, or Jeanne Lamon are a group who made a substantial impression in works of Haydn, and other clasical period composers, via their recordings on Sony Vivarte. I have a whole swathe of Tafelmusik in my collection. I don't know if they are just a recording band or were based somewhere like Toronto.

Ray Hall, Taree

[Andrew Clarke]

On Saturday, September 17, 2022 at 8:41:31 PM UTC+10, Jerry wrote:

> Subjective assessments are another matter. This month’s Gramophone,
> for example, offers 10 nominees for their Orchestra of the Year award...
>
> BRSO, Budapest Festival, Czech Phil., Halle, Les Siecles, Mahler Chamber,
> Oslo, Pittsburgh, Sinfonia of London, Vienna Phil......
>
> Really?
>

You have to remember that The Gramophone can only judge an orchestra by the quality of their recent recordings, which excludes many of the big North American orchestras because they haven't made any. Handsome is as handsome does: Les Siecles and the Sinfonia of London can be judged on their Ravel alone, and the Oslo by its superb playing of Sibelius under a conductor whose name escapes me.

Andrew Clarke
Canberra

[Andrew Clarke]

I believe Mr Dutoit was also said to have made overtures to various females, which I suppose, given his surname, makes him some kind of fiddler on the roof.

Andrew Clarke
Canberra

[Andrew Clarke]

On Sunday, September 18, 2022 at 12:02:17 AM UTC+10, raymond....@gmail.com wrote:

> Tafelmusik under Bruno Weil, or Jeanne Lamon are a group who made a substantial impression in works of Haydn, and other clasical period composers, via their recordings on Sony Vivarte. I have a whole swathe of Tafelmusik in my collection. I don't know if they are just a recording band or were based somewhere like Toronto.
>
> Ray Hall, Taree

An excellent ensemble, based in Toronto, who I saw on tour here in Canberra. Jeanne Lamon, the leader of the orchestra, has recently retired, but the band itself is still playing:

< https://tafelmusik.org/concerts-events/ >

Andrew Clarke
Canberra

[Graham]

On 2022-09-17 6:23 p.m., Andrew Clarke wrote:
> On Sunday, September 18, 2022 at 12:02:17 AM UTC+10, raymond....@gmail.com wrote:
>
>> Tafelmusik under Bruno Weil, or Jeanne Lamon are a group who made a substantial impression in works of Haydn, and other clasical period composers, via their recordings on Sony Vivarte. I have a whole swathe of Tafelmusik in my collection. I don't know if they are just a recording band or were based somewhere like Toronto.
>>
>> Ray Hall, Taree
>
> An excellent ensemble, based in Toronto, who I saw on tour here in Canberra. Jeanne Lamon, the leader of the orchestra, has recently retired,

Actually, she died in June 2021.

[Dan Koren]

Doesn't that count as retirement ?!?

dk

[sci.space]

> > If I recall correctly, the Montreal was held in high regard with many recordings to their credit, primarily due to their conductor Charles Dutoit. I think his Respighi LPs with that orchestra are among the best. He was removed from the orchestra when the members revolted that he worked them too hard and was abrasive. That seems to have been the end of Montreal as a seriously considered orchestra.
> I believe Mr Dutoit was also said to have made overtures to various females, which I suppose, given his surname, makes him some kind of fiddler on the roof.
>
> Andrew Clarke
> Canberra

That was much later than his leaving Montreal, do not recall hearing anything of that sort while he was in Montreal.

[Andrew Clarke]

... and she retired at the end of the 2015-16 season (or thereabouts). That will teach me to check the date of online news reports. A victim of lung cancer, sadly, at the age of 71.

Andrew Clarke
in distant Canberra