New York Philharmonic May Perform in Cuba (and also Vietnam)

The New York Times ^ | July 9, 2009 | By DANIEL J. WAKIN

[MaestroLC]

The New York Philharmonic, hoping to notch another exotic destination in its touring history, said on Thursday it had been invited to perform in Cuba and was seriously considering such a visit.

The orchestra’s president, Zarin Mehta, and other of its officials planned to travel to Havana on Friday to investigate concert halls, hotels and other logistical matters. The Philharmonic has received licenses to travel there, in light of the United States embargo.

The trip would be yet another recent dip into cold-war waters for the Philharmonic. It would take place just a few days after the orchestra returns from an Asian tour in October that will include Vietnam. Last year it traveled to isolated, totalitarian North Korea. The Philharmonic said that it had never been to Vietnam or Cuba, and that the North Korea visit was a first for any major orchestra.

A tour of Cuba would further etch the image of the Philharmonic as America’s musical ambassador, a profile that orchestra officials are eager to promote. The North Korea trip was a publicity boon, winning the ensemble wide attention outside of classical music circles — an increasing rarity for classical music institutions in recent decades.

High-profile touring “defines the New York Philharmonic, but I think it defines our country,” Mr. Mehta said.

“It’s important that we fly the flag,” he added.

If the trip comes off, it would probably last four days, starting on Oct. 30 — five days after the orchestra returns from Asia, Mr. Mehta said. It would most likely give two concerts. The Philharmonic’s incoming music director, Alan Gilbert, would conduct during both tours.

The Philharmonic’s decision to move forward with the trip comes after the Obama administration has eased some sanctions against Cuba

[MaestroLC]

NY Phil loves serenading tyrants and repressive regimes. Their new conductor Alan Gilbert is turning out to be even more of a ignorant disgrace than Lorin Maazel.

The only thing this defines for NY Phil image is what useful idiots, appeasers and apparatchiks they are. While the common people suffer in abject depravity in North Korea, Vietnam, Cuba, NY Phil gives aid and comfort to the elites that are the cause.

There was a time when conductors and orchestras believed and promoted freedom and democracy. Now they play for tyrants and repressive regimes and call that a step forward towards progress. They don't care about any results, just as long as it makes them feel better about themselves and it gives them their self-promotion fodder. Feh! The usual faulty logic of the Left.

And where are they getting the cash for this trip??

[rod1]

So far the only trend I “note” is that the NY Phil plays in an isolated place then that country explodes nuclear bombs and test fires missles.

Keep up the great work NY Phil and you may have a lot fewer places left in the world to be able to visit.