Christopher Webber <[log in to unmask]> writes:

>The mystery is how little concert programmers, still catering stoically for
>a moribund clientele and its terminal diet of Beethoven sandwiches, take
>note of the repertoire which is selling so cosily and consistently in the
>record shops - Bax, Rubbra, Martinu, Vaughan Williams, Barber et.  al.

Oh I don't know whether it's a mystery.  Here in Munich we have three
big-time symphonic orchestras plus two operas, all of them doing
repertoire.  They play mainly musical sandwiches to an apparently ravenous
clientele.  How do I know? Well, houses are consistently well-nigh sold
out, if not packed.  Possibly also relevant is the very latest news that
Barenboim will be conducting in Berlin two Ring cycles.  Top ticket price
for the full cycle is well over $2,000.  Realistically, there's no need to
question that these tickets will be sold out before Barenboim gets his next
haricut.

Denis Fodor