Ron Chaplin wonders about:

>>Judith Lang Zaimont's Symphony No. 2 "Remember Me" to Receive May 10
>>World Premiere in Ukraine with Kharkov Philharmonic
>
>I'm wondering why this symphony, by an American composer with impressive
>credentials, is being premiered in the Ukraine, and not in this country.
>I didn't read in Jeffery's post that the symphony was commissioned by
>the Kharkov and I would find it hard to believe that American orchestras
>were not contacted.  Could it be because of schedule conflicts? Could it
>be because of lack of interest? I'm sure the Kharkov is a fine symphony
>and will do justice to Ms. Laing's work.  Aren't there fine orchestras
>somewhere in this country who would jump at the opportunity?

Apparently not.  It may very well be that something as sordid as
money (very likely through grants) has to change hands, and Kharkov
is the cheapest to be got.  Zaimont is a wonderful composer, but talent
alone doesn't necessarily win out.  She's based in the Midwest and thus
has less visibility than composers on either coast, even for those
organizations like Chicago, Cleveland, Minnesota, and St.  Louis in her
region.  I suppose the days are long past when local orchestras featured
local composers as a matter of course, although the work of a local,
Stephen Dankner, will be premiered next year by the Louisiana Philharmonic.

Steve Schwartz