<<  -- 5 --  Howard Smith    A CHANGING LANDSCAPE

HS: Is the repertoire adventurous or conservative? Here it is often cautious so as to cater for traditionalists and ensure there are audiences that attend the concerts.

EB: I am privileged to suggest programmes to Yuri Bashmet. In addition we get suggestions from the Philharmonic Society. Sometimes their suggestions are useful; at other times they go against the general development of the orchestra -- particularly when it comes to 20th century music.

The Philharmonic society would have a problem with the symphonies of Honegger or even De Falla's El Amor Brujo. Fortunately for us, Bashmet is powerful enough to insist on certain programmes if he wants them played and of course his name alone will guarantee big audiences. Sometimes, to assist in the development of the orchestra, we suggest Russian repertoire to our guest conductors from abroad.

HS: Are your rehearsal times adequate?

EB: Yes they are, and this is one of the most attractive parts of the job. It's something that our guest conductors appreciate enormously. If a particular programme for a guest conductor is going to take as many as five or six rehearsals, our policy is to do everything in our power to accommodate them. We also make sure that the orchestra is thoroughly prepared with bowings and articulation before a guest conductor arrives.

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