Kenneth Woods- A View From the Podium

A number of commentators have already pointed out the problem with such a list is that it could be completely re-ordered on a week’s notice depending on who is conducting, or even which concertmaster or principal oboist is in that week.So, is there a way to balance the playing field so that we’re comparing orchestras and not orchestra/conductor alignments? Something more scientific?What if instead of a “20 Greatest Orchestras” list we had a “20 Greatest Orchestras As Conducted By Bernard Haitink” list?Almost immediately, I think the orchestras that I don’t think belong on this list would fall off rapidly- those that lack a cultured and sophisticated sound, those that have never had a mature artist as a Music Director (not saying there are any or one such), or those where balance is a permanent problem. No- I’m not going to tell you, dear reader, which orchestras those are. I’ve seen mediocre orchestras crumble when they realize they’re suddenly playing for a “real” conductor, especially in a pressure concert like the Proms.  On the other hand, a group with the sophistication of the Philadelphia would certainly be strongly on the list. (There has been genuine anguish in Philly over their undeserved omission from the list- take heart, I say. It’s tough when you’re between MD’s to really present your brand to the world. I’m sure they’ll be on the next one.)

Certainly, some orchestras not on the list would appear- the Coven Garden orchestra under Haitink was one of the best in the world when he was their MD, without doubt. Rekindle that magical chemistry and they’d be well on the charts (I think they sound pretty great under Pappano as well).

Most likely to benefit from such a system, however, would be the Dresden Staatskapelle. Uncle Bernie was their principal conductor for a few glorious years until a falling out with their management over the choice of his successor. This was music’s loss, because their chemistry was quite magical. I’d put them easily in the top three, possibly number 1 of the “world’s 20 greatest orchestras as conducted by Uncle Bernie.” If only I could hear them do Bruckner 8 with him just once more….

The ascendancy of the Chicago Symphony- the top US orchestra in the Gramophone list- seems to be credited largely to Haitink. Under a previous MD, they, in spite of their wonderful players, might not have made the top-10- conductors can do harm. Haitink has had a great association with Boston- the players  there love him, so their ranking would not suffer under my rules….

On the other hand, I heard a Haitink Beethoven Symphony recording not long ago that didn’t seem to show him or the band at their best. It was good, just not their best. I can’t remember which orchestra that was, and am not going to try. However, whether it was chemistry or point of view, or just the recalcitrance of those unpredictable cosmic spirits that can lift a concert beyond the ordinary that was the problem, who can say….

Perhaps, such a well-known and well travelled conductor as Haitink or Abbado brings too much history to the game. Maybe he’d be tempted to conduct an orchestra badly that passed him over for a job earlier in his career. Why not pick one lesser known conductor and send them round to the top 100 orchestras in the world with a TV crew and a panel of judges and see where the chips fall? It would be great television. I nominate….. me.

Hey, are you laughing over there? Do you think this is funny?!?!?! If Cheney could name himself as VP…. Who am I kidding- they’d get the guy with the chest hair and ruffly shirts to do it…

Are there orchestras not on the list that should be? I’m sure there are, especially if you are evaluating them over the recent past and not simply on this year’s brochure. The NDR and WDR orchestras really belong on that list- the NDR under Wand might have been the best orchestra in the world, especially in Bruckner. It’s crazy that the NHK orchestra isn’t on the list- especially under the late Asahina, they sounded like the official orchestra of God himself. Munich Philharmonic- they were certainly list worthy last time I hear them.

It’s good to see the Budapest Festival Orchestra on the list- they sound great, and they’re also a representative of the power of innovation and fresh thinking. Another conductor-founded group that should be on the list is the Lucerne Festival Orchestra under Abbado. If we’re talking all-star bands, why not World Orchestra for Peace? It may surprise some readers that I would suggest the Orchestra Revolutionaire et Romantique, John Elliot Gardiner’s band, as deserving a slot, but their Beethoven recordings set the bar so high in terms of polish and precision, as well as presenting a fresh point of view that I think they have to get a mention. I know Gramphone have focused on so-called “modern” orchestras, but if Budapest can get a look in with all their re-thinking about the what’s and how’s of orchestra playing, I think JEG’s band gets a look too.

Anyway, this is the only real problem with the list- there are more than 20 orchestras that are the 20 best in the world.

Does a youth orchestra belong on this list? If we’re going by musical accomplishment as opposed to media buzz, it wouldn’t be the flavor-of-the-month youth orchestra- nothing against them, but I think you can’t parlay a Bernstein Mambo into world-class status in 2 years. It doesn’t matter- the program is going to change the world. On the other hand, the Junge Deutshe Philharmonie recorded Mahler 5 with Rudolf Barshai live some years ago, and that remains the top recommendation of many leading Mahler critics. How about the Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra? Of all the regular youth orchestras, they seem to have the most grown-up sound. I know a lot of people would say the Curtis Orchestra has to be on the list. I’ve never heard them- what do you think?

The Gramophone gang have obviously focused on symphony orchestras- no room here for the Chamber Orchestra of Europe, the Mahler Chamber Orchestra, Northern Sinfonia or Scottish Chamber Orchestra, although all of them do symphonic repertoire up to Brahms and Sibelius. That’s fine- we’ll have another list for them. What about string orchestras? One of the most jaw-droppingly good recordings I’ve heard in years was one of the Ostrobothnian Chamber Orchestra, not a household name at all.

And, anyway, when is one of these magazines going to do a list of the 20 Best Damn Redneck Orchestras in the World, anyway?

Elsewhere-

Tom Service wonders if we should put community work on the list?

Jessica Duchen thinks the whole thing is nutty

The Times headline sounds the alarm- only one British band on the list. I think there were certainly other bands in London that deserved a look, but that Noseda guy is doing great stuff in Manchester with BBC Philharmonic. Are they still that good with another conductor? What about with Haitink? What about with me? Richard Morrison weighs in with his own doubts about the list.