In Saturday’s (2/26) Boston Globe, Jeremy Eichler writes, “Conductor James Levine, after another health setback that forced him to withdraw this week from four major performances, will soon open discussions with the Boston Symphony Orchestra to explore reducing his role, even if this may mean shifting from his post as music director, his brother said. Tom Levine explained that the eminent conductor, who has suffered from serious back and other problems, feels deeply the tension between his need to tend to his health and his desire to give Boston’s orchestra and its audiences what they deserve from a musical leader. ‘With the medical business my brother has had over the past year or two,’ said Tom Levine, a painter who works closely with his brother, ‘he’s looking very carefully at perhaps making his working schedule less, to stay healthier longer. … BSO managing director Mark Volpe was not available for comment, nor was Levine’s New York-based manager, Ronald Wilford. A BSO source told the Globe, however, that the management, senior board, and the orchestra ‘are having constructive conversations about James Levine’s ongoing role with the orchestra.’ Levine’s contract with the orchestra runs through the 2011-2012 season, so discussions about the maestro’s future would be occurring soon anyway, Tom Levine said.”
Posted February 28, 2011
