James Tobin wrote:

>Tom Connor asks if
>
>>...  the Hall these orchestras (Boston, Vienna, Concertgebouw) play in
>>contribute(s) to the quality of the musical organization?
>
>One of the biggest complaints about the acoustics of Philharmonic Hall
>in New York before its renovation was that the players could not hear one
>another.  The New York players have sometimes been said to have a snarly
>disposition--to the point of, let us say, not playing their best for
>conductors they don't like; the acoustic situation I mention couldn't
>possibly have had a positive effect on morale or performance level.

Let us not forget that George Szell was of the opinion that the original
Philharmonic Hall would best be improved by the detonation of a small
nuclear device.  I've heard the hall through its assorted renovations
at intervals of several years, and I still think the spot has negative
acoustical feng shui, altough the current incarnation is discernably the
best.

Joel Lazar
Bethesda MD