CSO Needs Substance Over Stardom

Alan Artner would like to see the Chicago Symphony abandon its decades-long fascination with “superstar” conductors in favor of a leader who truly understands the importance of engaging the community. “Absenteeism does nothing to encourage audience identification and involvement with an orchestra,” but the biggest names in conducting invariably spend most of their time somewhere other than Chicago. “Musicianship, inquisitiveness and commitment to the city are what counts — the three together. And if they’re not all present, the CSO should not engage.”