Philadelphia Orchestra が第２次世界大戦後，中国を訪問した最初のOrchestra として，北京の芸術センターとの友好協定調印に成功し，Orchestra の財政難は若干は改善されたといくつか前のブログでご紹介しましたが，同Orchestra の抱える問題はそう生易しいモノではないようです．
ここに紹介する評論では，The Philadelphia Orchestra which filed for bankruptcy in April now says it has come up with $27.5 million in pledge money and donations. That's a good sign, although almost half of the funds are challenge grants which must be met by the end of the year.
とありますが， it has come up with $27.5 million in pledge money and donations. That's a good sign, although almost half of the funds are challenge grants which must be met by the end of the year.
よいうことで，その大半はOrchestra が同じ額を年内に集めた場合に限って，同額を寄付するという条件付きの寄付金なのです．つまり財政難の厳しさは相変わらずなのです．
その基本原因は，Some music aficionados say this is a signal of the decline of classical music in the United States. と指摘した上で，そもそもの基本的問題について，スエーデンの音楽家の指摘を引用しています．
There is certainly a good argument for maintaining huge symphony orchestras in every major city (and many minor ones) across the world. They have become symbols not only of Western civilization at its best, but of prosperity and the quality of life in the cities which they serve. But these huge institutional orchestras are like imperialist armies that have over-extended themselves."
すなわち，orchetra が帝国主義軍隊のように自らを巨大化してしまったからだと指摘しています．その1例として，Swensen points out that Orchestras are way too labor intensive and carry musicians that are not always needed on a daily basis. つまり，日常は必要としない演奏者まで，抱え込んでしまっていると指摘しています．
別の新聞の指摘として，Philadelphia Orchestra は，2001年にその所有する音楽学校のホールを出て，the Kimmel Center に賃貸形式で移転したのが，財政難の大きな要因になっていると指摘しています．
また，The Houston Chronicle reports that two days ago, a federal bankruptcy judge gave the green light to a dissolution of the six-year business agreement between the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Philly Pops. The two entities had merged operations in 2005 in an attempt to streamline operations, but the orchestra argued that the deal was hurting its finances.
と，2005年に締結したPops との一体化契約の破棄を裁判所判事が認めたと報じています．Orchestra はそれも経営難に貢献してきたと主張していたのです．
この裁判所の判断を green light と表現していますが，それが本当にPhiladelphia Orchestra の財政難打開へのgreen light になることを期待したいモノです．
Oct 1, 2011 - 18 hours ago by Joan Firstenberg
Philadelphia orchestra struggles to keep the music going
By Joan Firstenberg.
Philadelphia - The Philadelphia Orchestra which filed for bankruptcy in April now says it has come up with $27.5 million in pledge money and donations. That's a good sign, although almost half of the funds are challenge grants which must be met by the end of the year.
The renowned 111-year old Philadelphia Orchestra made a stunning announcement in April when it filed for bankruptcy, the first big U.S. orchestra to ever do that. Some music aficionados say this is a signal of the decline of classical music in the United States. A New York Times reader of the events, Joseph Swensen, a violinist, and main conductor of the Maimo Opera in Sweden and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra views it this way.
"My sadness is visceral when I hear of a classical music institution like the Philadelphia Orchestra on the brink of collapse. We musicians tirelessly devote ourselves from the time we are small children to honing our skills and deepening our knowledge. All for the sake, so we are taught, of the composers we idolize. There is certainly a good argument for maintaining huge symphony orchestras in every major city (and many minor ones) across the world. They have become symbols not only of Western civilization at its best, but of prosperity and the quality of life in the cities which they serve. But these huge institutional orchestras are like imperialist armies that have over-extended themselves."
Swensen points out that Orchestras are way too labor intensive and carry musicians that are not always needed on a daily basis.
The Kansas City Star has its thoughts on why the orchestra is now in a failing financial situation.
The Philadelphia Orchestra’s 2001 move from the Academy of Music, which it owns, to the Kimmel Center, where it must pay rent, contributed to a structural deficit and, ultimately, a bankruptcy filing last spring.
The Houston Chronicle reports that two days ago, a federal bankruptcy judge gave the green light to a dissolution of the six-year business agreement between the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Philly Pops. The two entities had merged operations in 2005 in an attempt to streamline operations, but the orchestra argued that the deal was hurting its finances.
The Orchestra also has labor problems. The Association is involved in a contract dispute with its musicians and a mediation session is scheduled before a judge for Sunday and Monday.
