Alsop And Baltimore – A Difficult Future?

Marin Alsop hasn’t yet accepted the music director job of the Baltimore Symphony, which was offered to her Tuesday over the objections of the orchestra’s musicians. “The course of events in Baltimore leaves Alsop in an awkward spot. The job may be hers, but musical success hinges on that ineffable thing called chemistry. Liking, respecting, and trying hard for the conductor on the podium count for much in how well a performance goes. Such relationships are even harder to develop after the atmosphere has been poisoned with complaints such as the ones cataloged by Baltimore musicians and magnified in yesterday’s Washington Post.”