| Carl,
Every orchestra is a different organism: different personalities, different traditions, different expectations. Perhaps Mr. Clean will chime in about the LAPhil (Jim?). I'm not a member so have a non-member's perspective, but would certainly imagine that E-P's dual life as a composer/conductor (think Lennie) plays some sort of roll in the mindset there.
I'm that some orchestras have changed their tack over the years. Burton's Bernstein biography reminds us that 70+% of Lennie's programming during his tenure at the NYPhil was contemporary music (although a pretty pedestrian lot such as David Diamond, etc.). The NYPhil is cited in Continental Shift as now having some of the most traditional programming in the country today (and lots of empty seats).
Interesting stuff.
Best,
EC |