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Just over two
years ago, I had the pleasure of attending a symphony at Carnegie
Hall in New York. Like our own Powell Hall, Carnegie is a special
place any time, but I was particularly pleased to be in the audience
that night because the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (SLSO) was performing
on tour.
Unfortunately, there had been an unexpected development. Hans Vonk,
then music director of the SLSO, had become ill only six days earlier.
Substituting would be a young conductor named David Robertson, who
graciously agreed to take over at the 11th hour.
Robertson was known to be a gifted, world class conductor, but this
was still a daunting challenge. He hadn’t conducted the SLSO in
over three years, and even then only a handful of times. To make
matters worse, there was time for only one three-hour rehearsal.
Frankly, as the lights came down, no one knew what to expect.
Once the concert began, the maestro had completely captivated
the sold-out Carnegie Hall audience.
In short, Robertson and our symphony were magnificent. At the conclusion
of the program, the musicians put down their instruments and applauded
Robertson. In its review, The New York Times raved, “This
gifted and technically assured American conductor achieved brilliant
results.” For all of us who were lucky enough to be there, it was
a night to remember.
Clearly, Robertson is recognized internationally as one of the leading
conductors of his generation. Last summer, The New York Times
Magazine featured a glowing cover story describing him as the
most sought-after conductor in the world, noting that symphonies
in New York, Chicago, and numerous foreign cities were recruiting
him. Indeed, he was named Musical America’s Conductor of
the Year in 1999.
Needless to say, when the Symphony announced in December that Robertson
would be its new music director beginning in 2005 (and a consultant
for the Symphony even sooner), we were thrilled by the symphonic
coup—as were all classical music lovers in St. Louis. Congratulations
to Symphony Chair Dr. Virginia Weldon, President Randy Adams and
the entire board of trustees!
The fabulous news of Robertson’s recruitment is just one more example
of the cultural renaissance the region has enjoyed in recent years.
Last fall, the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center opened
with much fanfare on the campus of the University of Missouri–St.
Louis. As part of the Touhill, the Anheuser-Busch Performance Hall
seats over 1,600 people, giving the region yet another major performance
venue. In Grand Center, the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis and
the Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts each opened their stunning
new facilities to rave reviews, both nationally and internationally.
Last summer, the Regional Arts Commission moved into its new headquarters
in the Delmar Loop. And, of course, Forest Park Forever capped off
its $90 million restoration of the park’s facilities and infrastructure
in time for the centennial of the 1904 World’s Fair.
Now more than ever, this is an exciting time to live, work and play
in the St. Louis region.
RICHARD C.D. FLEMING
President and Chief Executive Officer
St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association
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