Tim Mahon:

>And finally, I believe Daniel raises an important issue with the words
>"...nicely built programs..." Yes -- you will get takers for a Beethoven
>symphony cycle, a Mozart piano concerto series or a Wagner operatic
>behemoth -- as well you should.  But careful marketing of thoughtfully
>developed programmes should also pay dividends in a society in which
>increasing attention is being paid to leisure and cultural activities --
>especially in the era of the Internet and e-mail newsletters as methods
>of generating interest and aspiration.

A key issue here is to attract the attention of different "ethnic groups".
In Calgary, for example, there is a big Chinese community.  CPO's
administrators may think that inviting Chinese soloists is the only way
to "reach out" members of that ethnic group.  Well, they may be wrong!
There are many Chinese works (or Western works referring to Chinese culture
or music) that deserve to be heard...  We have a great (and peaceful)
specialist of Chinese music on this list that could provide us with a long
list of "great but little known" Chinese works.  The same think could be
said concerning Greek, Danish or Japanese music!

If the Rattles, Oramos and St. Clairs of this world can persuade their
collaborators to embrace 'challenging' programming, then others can succeed
with it to.  Build it and they will come?

Yes, they will!

Daniel Beland