Roger Hecht ([log in to unmask]) wrote:
>To be fair, the NYP has been known as the "graveyard of conductors."
>I can't say I'm privy to any of this stuff directly, but I recall
>stories over the years. After Toscanini left with his iron rule, they
>ate Barbirolli for lunch in one of the low points of the great conductor's
>career.
Well, this appears to be the received wisdom, however he was in NY for
7 years (1936-43) duyring which time I believe his contract was renewed.
He only left because of the call to reconstruct the Halle.
Frankly I think the NY critics would have savaged *anyone* after Toscanini
- they certainly savaged his competitors (e.g. the 1927-8 season, I think
it was, when the NYPO had 3 conductors: Furtwaewngler, Mengelberg and
Toscanini).
Deryk Barker
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