Blog :: Modesto Symphony Nonsense

I do not like reading fairy tales in my newspaper. Yet that, I suspect, is what has happened. Recently the Bee carried the news that the conductor of the Modesto Symphony is not renewing his contract. You can read the google cache of the article here (and my longstanding complaint about the Bee hiding their archives here). The article is headlined " Maestro's Finale - Music director chooses to leave symphony after this season".

The problem is this: I don't believe a word of it. I don't know anyone involved personally and I have only attended the Symphony's Performances a few times. I do know a little bit about the world of music, however, and this story absolutely does not make sense.

His contract expires in June and, at his choice, will not be renewed, orchestra President and Chief Executive officer Paul Jan Zdunek said Wednesday.

One (pronounced OH-nay) did not return phone messages left Wednesday at his Modesto home and office seeking comment. He also did not address the reasons for his departure in his statement, which came in an orchestra news release.

"I will always remember my six wonderful seasons with the MSO and I count it a privilege to have worked with an exceptional staff, committed board and talented orchestra," he said in the statement. "I am especially grateful for the love and support the community continues to give me and my family."

Somebody is not telling all they know. It is inconceivable to me that a professional talent like the Maestro has resigned for no reason at all. It is also inconceivable that an immensely popular conductor could be fired without any public outcry. It's too bad there is no local news gathering agency that could tell us what is really going on...

Posted on Dec 29th 2005, 06:01 PM