Editor’s note: While it is already old news, I still wanted to acknowledge Maestro Levine’s resignation from the Boston Symphony Orchestra.
On March 2nd, James Levine announce that he will step down from his position as Music Director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. The decision comes after chronic health issues prevented him from consistently leading the ensemble.
Levine will remain at the Metropolitan Opera, stating that his familiarity with the organization and the dynamic he has created there allow him to maintain his post despite health problems. Not only does he live in New York, but after 40 years with the Met, Levine has created a well oiled machine in which he is but the final cog. Comparatively, the burden of symphonic directorship in a new city requires more than he can commit to consistently provide.
Read the full article at the New York Times
Posts Tagged ‘Boston’
Levine to Resign from Boston Symphony
Levine Returns to BSO After Spinal Surgery
Conducting Still Pain in the Neck
James Levine led the Boston Symphony Orchestra last week for the first time since his back surgery in the Fall. While Levine has been in New York for assorted performances at Carnegie Hall and the Metropolitan Opera, his leadership at the BSO was absent for most of the season’s Fall performances. He presented his returning program, featuring works by Berlioz, Ravel, and Carter, in both Boston and New York. Perhaps fortuitously, the night before the BSO’s Carnegie Hall performance, Levine and the BSO won a Grammy for their recording of Ravel’s “Daphnis et Chloé.” For a complete review of the performance and a clip of the Grammy winning recording, see the NYT article here.
Levine’s Return Delayed Further
Maazel to lend a hand
Some unfortunate news for fans of the BSO and Metropolitan Opera: James Levine, who was scheduled to return to the podium last week, is now not expected to return until December.
In case you didn’t know, Levine recently underwent back surgery. An initial prognosis for no more than a handful of missed performances has now been amended into almost half his season. The surgery comes as the latest in a string of health problems for the Maestro, who had rotator cuff surgery in 2006, and had a cancerous cyst removed from a kidney in July of 2008.
Perhaps the most disappointed are fans of the BSO, who are in the midst of a complete cycle of the Beethoven Symphonies, all of which Levine has pulled out of. While some patrons may be content with the recent announcement that Lorin Maazel, former music director for the NY Philharmonic, will conduct at Symphony Hall between October 30 and November 7, it is of no doubt that many are feeling a sense of dismay.
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James Levine Out For 3 Weeks
Lost In Sea of Get Well Soon Cards
James Levine, Music Director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Metropolitan Opera, was set to conduct the opening concert at Carnegie Hall this season. However, he will not be seen on a podium for the next three weeks, as Maestro Levine will soon undergo back surgery to repair a herniated disk.
Although Levine will miss some high profile performances, such as the first performance of Tosca with The Met, the operation comes at a time when Mr. Levine had already canceled performances due to extreme back pain. According to his doctors, having the surgery will prevent further damage and hopefully allow him to return to his assorted posts quickly and with renewed vigor. Source: NY Times Music.