Maestro Harvey Felder’s recent announcement that he will step down as Music Director at the conclusion of the 2013-2014 season came as a shocker to his many friends and fans here in Tacoma.
Rosemary Ponnekanti broke the news on the “Go Arts” blog on the TNT website last Thursday, and this was followed up by an article in Friday’s News Tribune. Maestro Felder explained that his decision was driven by a desire to move forward with a number of musical initiatives he has begun, including a national chamber orchestra. “The role of a music director is all-consuming, leaving little time for other serious endeavors, and for the past 17 years, that has been something I’ve willingly done,” he noted. “As I approach my 20-year anniversary though, I now wish to take the time and energy to breathe life into a few other musical endeavors.”
Having experienced at close hand the work of four music directors over the past 24 years, I can attest to the intensity of the commitment s/he must bring to the job. The public only sees the tip of the iceberg. The work of planning seasons, selecting repertoire and guest artists, being mindful of audience preferences and balancing that with the needs of the ensemble – these alone are daunting responsibilities. Add to that the role an American music director must play in marketing, public relations, planning, and fund raising on the one hand, and constantly dealing with the limiting factors of the budget (guys like me saying “no we can’t afford that Mahler symphony”), and it is remarkable how they retain their energy, passion and humor over the span of decades.
I first met Harvey when we were both at the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra more than 20 years ago, and he has kept all three of those qualities. Although in a few instances music directors at professional orchestras have maintained tenures of several decades or more, this is the exception rather than the rule. Harvey’s tenure at the TSO – now at 17 years – has been a fantastically successful run.
And it’s not over yet. We have several more years to celebrate his legacy, concluding with his 20th Anniversary Season in 2013-2014. Between now and then, with his help and guidance, we will ensure his legacy is a lasting one by positioning the TSO for success in the years and decades to come.
Let’s start the celebrating now. The announcement last week resulted in an outpouring of goodwill and gratitude toward the Maestro on the “Go Arts” blog. In case you missed it, I will end this post with a few examples. It’s especially remarkable to note how each writer picks out a different aspect of Harvey’s leadership to highlight.
PLUViolin writes: “The City of Tacoma has completely transformed itself since the early 1990s with the creation and renovation of museums, trade centers, concert halls, residential and retail space. Everybody knows that the arts have been central to Tacoma's Renaissance and Maestro Harvey Felder has played one of they key roles in the revival of Tacoma's downtown core through the Arts. The entire City of Tacoma owes Harvey a debt of gratitude for transforming the Tacoma Symphony in much the same way that the City has transformed itself. Thank you for all you have done for the Arts and for Tacoma, Harvey!”
Hope writes: “My first exposure to the Tacoma Symphony was not at an evening performance, but at a Simply Symphonic education concert. Along with hundreds of fifth grade students I 'saw' the music for the first time. I watched Maestro Felder captivate his young audience with the magic of not only 'hearing' the music but 'watching' how the music was made. The effect that the Maestro has had on our community goes well beyond the amazing concerts he conducted. His impact can not fully be measured without considering how he changed the way people think about symphonic music. His 'conversations' with the audience helped us all 'see' the music, understand it and fall in love with it. He brought the music to life in Tacoma as the city transformed itself. TSO’s first Conductor Laureate is a well deserved tribute. Harvey, thank you for all you have done for our city and especially our youth. You will be a hard act to follow and I wish you the best.”
Rickles writes: “For me, Harvey Felder is the embodiment of the words professional, creative, outreach, education, humor, honor, precision, inventive, inviting, informing, encouraging and so many more. His music sensibility could only be outdone by his warmth from the stage. Maestro Felder’s ability to draw us into the music so we can begin to understand the emotions, the pressures of the era in which the music was written, and the wonderful stories that are bottled up inside the great works, actually make classical music come alive for many of us in the audience.
“Thank you Harvey for loving Tacoma and putting everything you have into choosing the music, interpreting it and adding the Technicolor shadings that only you can see and feel in your soul to create such memorable concerts.
“Like many others, I would venture to say, my wife and family will not miss a concert nor waste a moment as we look forward to the next three years and what Harvey will bring as his final creations for our enjoyment. Harvey, you will be missed. I hope you will bring your next endeavors on tour and make sure that Tacoma is on the list of cities. We will look forward to every concert.”
What about you? I invite you to share your thoughts below.
To read the original Go Arts blog that includes all of these posts, click here.