Here's a thoroughly disturbing report on neolithic sexual attitudes at and around the Vienna Philharmonic. Werner Resel, a former member of the orchestra and the current Orchestra Director at the Vienna State Opera, is quoted as having said, in an interview ten years ago, "The Vienna Philharmonic is an orchestra of white men that plays music by white men for white people." This same man would appear to be impeding the audition process for a female violinist, according to William Osborne's account, although, needless to say, the facts seem to be in dispute. No matter how beautifully the orchestra plays — and I don't think that it presently rises above any number of international rivals — it desperately needs new direction. Political correctness is not the issue. Stupidity is the issue. (Tip: Ljova.) (Correction to Prof. Resel's title added 1/3/07.)
