NEWS FLASH: CEO OF THE INDIANAPOLIS SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA DECIDES NOT TO RENEW MARIO VENZAGO'S CONTRACT

Yes, you read the title correctly. Mario Venzago is no longer the music director of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. Simon Crookall, CEO of the orchestra, made the decision not to renew his contract for the 09-10 season. Here is the email he sent the orchestra:

Dear Friends

Apologies for conveying such important news by email, but I wanted you to know as soon as possible.

For a number of reasons I have decided not to renew Mario Venzago’s contract as Music Director of the ISO. The Board of Directors fully supports my decision. We have been engaged in discussions to extend his contract for nearly a year, and it became clear that we were not going to reach a satisfactory conclusion. Mario will not be appearing during the 2009/10 season and his concerts will be conducted by other conductors. I have, however, invited him to return to Indianapolis for a farewell week in which we can celebrate his artistic achievements and say goodbye. The search for a new Music Director will begin immediately.

Mario Venzago has brought tremendous artistic success to the ISO over the past seven years. His interpretations of the great symphonies of Schumann, Brahms and Beethoven have received critical acclaim and his partnership with the orchestra has delighted and entertained audiences. One of the highlights this season was our production of Wagner’s Das Rheingold with the Indianapolis Opera. I am sure that you will want to join me in wishing him every success for the future.

Please feel free to contact me if you would like to discuss this decision further.

With all good wishes

Simon

To say that this is a major blow to the organization is an understatement of mass proportions. This was a foolish, foolish decision made by Simon Crookall and the board, and one that was made without the best interests of the orchestra at heart.

I will have more on this later.

Happy birthday Mahler!

How I wish I'd been born 12 days earlier, so I could share a birthday with my favorite composer! Oh well, I'll get over it.

So, how are you celebrating Mahler's birthday? Putting on a symphony of his at full blast? Taking a hike and admiring nature? Personally, I think I'll blast the 5th symphony a little later today, but for right now, I'm celebrating with the 6th symphony, particularly with those kick ass hammer blows. Here's one by the amazing Chicago Symphony Orchestra, around 4:30. Enjoy!

Heifetz the Hilarious

Who knew Heifetz was so funny? Here he is, imitating an audition he had to listen to. Hilarious stuff! (thanks to Miika for the link)

Mahler Mondays: Butler University Mahler/Germanic Creative Expression Project

I have such bad timing! I've moved away from Indianapolis, yet this coming year, Butler University is having a Mahler-fest! Oh well, I guess I'll just make the drive up. (Butler University, in case you don't know, is a private university in Indianapolis that was founded in 1855.)

This coming fall, Butler will be celebrating the 150th anniversary of Mahler's birth, along with commemorating the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, and celebrating Germanic creative expression. That's a lot of things to celebrate!

The festivities include performances of some Mahler symphonies, and his one and only piece for wind ensemble. There will also be many films and lectures related to the fall of the Berlin Wall, and Germanic creative expression, and even some opera.

The list of events isn't complete yet, but still, what is scheduled sounds promising, and highly interesting. I applaud Butler for choosing to hold such festivities, and I truly hope it is a success. I can't promise I'll make it to every single event, but I hope to make quite a few of them!

Happy Birthday Mario!

I hope you all will join me in wishing Maestro Mario Venzago, the conductor of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra a very happy birthday! Many happy returns, Maestro!

I have no idea what year the Maestro was born in---all I know is that I am THRILLED to bits that he was born. To say that I'm thankful for this man is an understatement; he truly has done wonders for the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, and for that (and a myriad of other reasons), I respect and admire Maestro Venzago a great deal.

This brilliant conductor has brought a vision to the ISO, and he has goals he wishes to accomplish, and I tell you friends, I can see this vision, and hear these goals on their way to being accomplished. The sound of the orchestra is vastly different than it was a few years ago, and the orchestra is on its way up, up, up!

So, Maestro, if you are reading this, I wish you the happiest of birthdays. I hope your day is filled with much joy and love (and perhaps some Mahler somewhere in there? Maybe?), and that you celebrate well. I hope you are surrounded by friends, family, and loved ones on this very special day!

Happy birthday Mario!