Andrys Basten responds to me:

>>Trying to get the pulse on the orchestra members' views about Dutoit's
>>departure is probably a waste of time.  These views will differ, and
>>the departure is happening anyways.
>
>Don, did you actually read those articles before replying? Or were you
>opining off the cuff.  That's how it sounds.  The departure is not a
>finality, though a probability.  The harm is in the loss of recording
>contracts which Decca has already indicated is for Dutoit rather than
>the orchestra in their mind.

I read the article which the originator of this thread, Daniel Beland,
provided us; if I recall correctly, it was from the Andante website.
What I read is that Dutoit has resigned, so I considered it a sure thing.
Personally, I don't care what he does.

Also, I wasn't trying to give the impression that everything about Dutoit's
departure would be positive; that's simply not realistic.  My main point
was that sticking in one position for one employer for a great many years
can have negative results, no matter what the field might be.  I'm also
rather tired of hearing how so-and-so's death, retirement, or resignation
will do great harm to those left behind.  These events take place all the
time, and we manage to plug along.  Dutoit goes, someone else takes his
place, and everybody continues with their lives.  Would it be better to
sulk and act like the sky is falling? Heck, we're only talking about a
conductor for an orchestra.  U.S Presidents come and go, and the citizens
just keep rolling along with their ususal business.  It's time for the
folks in Montreal to concentrate on a replacement and forget Dutoit.
Unfortunately, it will likely be quite a few months before a new
selection is made.  Why does it take so long?

Don Satz
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