I posted the entire Cleveland Plain Dealer announcement written Monday June
7 under another subject heading -- below is the next days article by Donald
Rosenbuerg entitled "No Intermission In Beautiful Music."
Tuesday, June 8, 1999
By DONALD ROSENBERG
PLAIN DEALER MUSIC CRITIC
Six weeks ago, Franz Welser-Moest didn't know if he wanted the job.
The Cleveland Orchestra was courting the Austrian conductor to become
its music director. But Welser-Moest was content with his post as
music director of the Zurich Opera and guest engagements with the
world's greatest orchestras, not to mention the occasional opportunity
to roam through beloved mountains near his home in Lichtenstein.
"I love my profession. I love what I do," said a buoyant Welser-Moest
yesterday in an interview at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, "but there are
other things in life. There are moments when any good artist doubts
himself. These moments are very important." The moments led
Welser-Moest to realize that if officials of the Cleveland Orchestra
were ready to entrust him with their stellar ensemble, he had to take
the offer seriously. "It's the biggest challenge in my life," he
said after signing a five-year contract.
Welser-Moest, 38, will be the orchestra's seventh music director.
He will succeed Christoph von Dohnanyi in 2002, when he begins devoting
18 weeks annually to the orchestra. He will conduct 12 subscription
weeks each season at Severance Hall, one week each summer at Blossom
Music Center and participate in tours and other activities. Dohnanyi,
who left for Paris yesterday morning, was present at the Allen Theatre
news conference in the form of a statement read by Richard J.
Bogomolny, president of the Musical Arts Association, the orchestra's
parent organization. Welser-Moest "will have my full support as he
prepares to take over this ensemble," read Dohnanyi's statement.
Welser-Moest and Dohnanyi appear to be members of a symphonic mutual
admiration society. Next month, when Dohnanyi conducts Verdi's "Un
ballo in maschera" at the Zurich Opera, he will spend time with his
successor discussing artistic matters, Cleveland-style.
"I have great, great admiration and affection for him," said
Welser-Moest, whose words emerge in a brisk flow of enthusiasm.
"He's a very special musician and special person. It's wonderful
and difficult to follow such a man. But who said that it should be
easy all the time?"
Thomas W. Morris, the orchestra's executive director, said the search
was completed swiftly to ensure a seamless transition. For the first
time since the 1940s, the torch will pass without interruption between
music directors at Severance Hall. "Conductors are booked two to
three years in advance," Morris said. "If we went much beyond now,
it wouldn't be possible in 2002."
As the orchestra performs three final seasons under Dohnanyi, who
may return regularly in an emeritus position, Bogomolny said every
effort would be made so "Christoph has a smashing sendoff and goes
out in a blaze of glory, which he is entitled to. That's what the
next three years are about: Christoph and the orchestra."
In hiring Welser-Moest, Morris said the orchestra would be connecting
with the next generation of conductors - a young leader who has a
wide repertoire, is interested in education and intends to become
part of the community.
Welser-Moest's appointment was hailed by top managers in the music
world. Henry Fogel, executive director of the Chicago Symphony,
said, "It's a terrific, terrific appointment. We have had great
success with him as a guest conductor. The orchestra loves him. The
public loves him. He makes great music with us." Alexander Pereira,
director of the Zurich Opera, said Welser-Moest knew what was possible
and what was not, musically and otherwise. "His interpretation will
help the audience enormously to follow and understand what he means,"
he said on the phone from Zurich. "At the same time, he has a great
musical temperament and intelligence. I think he is one of the most
gifted musicians there is at the moment. He also becomes better the
longer he works with an orchestra."
Welser-Moest said there was one thing a conductor should never lose,
which could portend good things for Cleveland. "Priority No. 1:
Make great music and everything else comes afterwards." Even before he
becomes music director, Welser-Moest will have chances to live up to his
priority. He will conduct concerts at Severance Hall for two weeks next
season, three weeks during the 2000-01 season and several weeks the
season before he becomes Cleveland's new musical boss.
Mark Seeley <[log in to unmask]>
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