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Maybe it was inevitable that the one leader in classical music who could upstage Deborah Borda was Deborah Borda.
No orchestra has been this ambitious, ever, trumpeted a Los AngelesTimesheadline.
East Coast Borda has taken up West Coast Bordas challenge.
Historically, the [New York] Philharmonic has flourished when its taken risks, she tells me.
We felt the New York Philharmonic should beofour city,aboutour city, and in our time.
Like most large orchestras, the Philharmonic is a sluggish institution.
Borda is nudging it forward, but its unfair to expect an immediate Errol Flynn leap into the future.
Van Zwedens predecessor Alan Gilbert founded Contact!
In Los Angeles, Bordas commitment to programming music by women has been obvious and impressive.
concert at National Sawdust was at once exciting and discouraging.
Women are also, ever so gradually, stepping up to the Philharmonic podium.
Its a completely different orchestra now, she says.
Only a quarter of the current players remain from her last stint.
I couldnt have put together this season in my first year in L.A., but I can here.
But, she points out, all that took 17 years.
Things didnt reverse right away.
Borda has the long view of a radical incrementalist, but time is limited.
Thats not enough for the tech generation, whose most affluent members often see philanthropy as a pragmatic tool.
They want ROI return on investment.
Museums can flourish because they can tip off donors to a great artist whose work they can buy.
Theres a quid pro quo.
But what is the value of sitting and listening to a great symphony or a new piece of music?
We will either answer that question or we wont.
