The Great American Symphony Orchestra

This book is a must-read for anyone interested in acquiring a “back-stage” tour of symphony life, not included in the price of a box-office ticket!

GAIN a behind-the-scenes look at the orchestra as a family; itsdiscipline,artistry, and devotion, the overwhelming audition process, and the good and bad about the orchestra–musicians profession.

LEARN about the love-hate relationship between musicians and conductors as theauthor shares his experiencesperforming under conductors Josef Krips, Seiji Ozawa, Edo DeWaart, Herbert Blomsted, Michael Tilson Thomas, Eugene Ormandy, Igor Stravinsky, Aaron Copland, and Arthur Fiedler.

DISCOVERconductors dictatorial control, interpretative powers, andtechnical skills, as revealed through quotes from James Levine, John Barbariolli, Gustav Mahler, Daniel Barenboim, and Herbert von Karajan.

EXAMINE comments fromLeonard Bernstein, Arturo Toscanini, Carl Nielsen, and Lou Harrison that bring aunique awareness to avante-garde music in the chapter titled Cruel and Unmusical.

UNDERSTAND the difference between conducting talent andcomposing talent and how rare it is to possess both.