Nice thread, Ed!
Diversity in an orchestral setting seems like a pretty darn oxymoronic thing these days, and has given me some points to ponder:
How original could one be with the
Promenade to Pictures or Mahler 5 opening at an audition and still get the job?
What professional orchestras can afford to spend the time rehearsing and learning a truly new piece? Who would come to the performances?
Where can we find someone who says to us, "Here is a bunch of money--please provide some diverse music for us?"
The funny thing with "classical" music is that the rules are so rigid that one must step outside the
genre to be truly original, and for us in America, that equals jazz.
When and if jazz can function with true diversity, maybe classical can follow.
Thanks again for your thoughts--Gonna go work on some ii-V-I exercises now.
