False notes in the state of mind at the Orchestre national des Pays de la Loire

The words are tough and the views without ambivalence. In a long interview in a local media (1) published on November 12, the future past conductor of the Orchestre national des Pays de la Loire, the American John Axelrod, recalls his course at the head of the orchestra and details his opinion about the state of mind of the musicians he is about to leave for others in Italia. The ideas Mr. Axelrod develops are about the behaviour regarding the working life and the change. They seem to refer to a community of people much more larger than an orchestra and give a light about the course of the Region where Angers and its inhabitants are in the middle and may be the sample.

The conductor reminds that he was told to enhance the level of the orchestra but noticed that this one "was not ready to change" because most of the musicians had a state of mind of "civil servants" : "comfort, routine, security are things some musicians are looking for. Not the stress, challenges, international competitiveness and search for quality. The resistance to changes causes a incredible apathy. The musicians are paid whenever there is or there is not audience".

Credit pictures : Onpl

Having conducted others orchestras over the world, John Axelrod compares the ability of the musicians he managed to assimilate new works. The Onpl members "need time and numerous rehearsals because they considered the programme was stressing and heavy" while " others orchestra wished to be conducted bluntly, without shortered repetitions, [they wanted] to stretch their limits". Mr Axelrod regrets he was not able to plan works because he was afraid of "complaints or strikes. That is specific to this country" compared to Italia where musicians "fight for survive". In Onpl, "in spite of success, musicians don't want additional work". Are they in tune with their environment?

(1) Le Courrier de l'Ouest