Salonen's visions have to do with updating the balance between the wallowing in the tried and true so cherished by Mr. Trafton and an honorable and friendly attempt to broaden an audience's horizons. He has ventured interestingly into new territory, not only with "atonal experiments" but also with admirable gestures toward film music and the Latino repertory. His enterprise has already elevated the Los Angeles Philharmonic to a place of envy among American orchestras. Yes, ticket sales are somewhat down, as they are worldwide. At a San Francisco Symphony concert last month, I heard an inferior orchestra led by a conductor with a shallow musical grasp; despite this, however, Michael Tilson Thomas' slick, in-your-face manner apparently sells tickets. I'd hate to think that this kind of music making, however sexy, is the only salvation for a symphony orchestra. Salvation here in Los Angeles will surely be helped along once Disney Hall is built, even if the results come only halfway up to the prognostications. Then we can start to do battle with the letter writers.
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