1. A Message from Harold Farberman
2. Recordings
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A
Message from Harold Farberman. During the first week of June, 1998, I received a telephone call from a businesswoman with ties to many orchestras in Bulgaria. She relayed a stunning proposal to me: Acting on behalf of a consortium of Bulgarian orchestras, she asked if I could find suitable guest conductors for a number of subscription concerts. The request was made to raise money to counteract drastic government cuts in orchestra subsidies. |
| I am pleased to report that in the past few
years, Cortelu has placed over 60 (sixty) guest conductors with Bulgarian Orchestras. The
results have been overwhelmingly positive. Here's what a few conductors have said: "A fantastic opportunity."
-- Paul Pierce |
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At first, I thought the low fees quoted for a concert and five full rehearsals ($2,450) was a mistake, but I was assured that the orchestras viewed it as "an even trade-off, a win-win situation for everyone in a difficult time." This is a rare window of opportunity which must be utilized, but it is everyone's fervent hope that the present economic state of Bulgarian orchestras is momentary.
A number of excellent, professional orchestras are in the program,
including:
- The VARNA STATE PHILHARMONIC
- The VIDIN PHILHARMONIC
- The ROUSSE PHILHARMONIC
- The PLEVEN PHILHARMONIC
Each is a full size orchestra of circa 70 (seventy) players. Basic repertoire - Haydn
through Strauss will be well played at the first rehearsal. Difficult contemporary
repertoire using large forces, exotic percussion and electronic instruments should not be
programmed.
The opportunity to rehearse and perform a concert with a professional orchestra at an affordable cost is rare indeed. It is an ideal opportunity for:
- Conductors who want to invest in their careers to create meaningful videos to compete in the initial stages of the audition process;
- Candidates who have been chosen to audition for a music directorship or an assistant conductor opening. For candidates who have not yet conducted the selected audition repertoire, this investment is a must.
- Students with limited orchestral exposure who are ready to take on an orchestra and need the hands on experience of rehearsing and creating a complete concert.
- Young student conductors who are ready to work with professional orchestras.
- Any conductor-soloist combination to split costs, or a team of conductor-soloist-composer who combine assets to create a video in which all participate.
$2,450.00 for one subscription concert
The $2,450.00 fee includes:
- Hall Rental
- Five (5), four (4) hour rehearsals (two breaks totaling one hour are called per rehearsal)
- One concert performance
- General newspaper publicity & posters
- Review(s)
The very low fee for the above, by our standards is sufficient to allow Bulgarian orchestras to meet their financial obligations.
It is an extraordinary opportunity for qualified conductors.
The following services will be provided at an additional cost:
- Airfare ( a reduced fare will be offered)
IN BULGARIA
- Private transportation from airport can be
arranged.
- Video, taping (rehearsals) & concert $100.00
- Hotel, per night...................... circa $40.00
- Interpreter (if needed)..................... $100.00
- Extra musicians for special repertoire, cost to be determined.
Cost Sharing with Soloists/Composers:
Conductors may share the cost of a concert with a pianist, violinist, cellist, other instrumentalist or a composer colleague.
(Complex new music with large percussion sections, additional personnel and electronic components should not be programmed.)
NOTE: Orchestra dates subject to availability. Additional costs may be subject to change.
All applications for guest conducting are to be sent to Cortelu Music.
Listed orchestras will not consider direct requests from potential guest conductors.
All applications will be reviewed by Cortelu. Orchestras, repertoire and dates will be assigned. Once chosen, Maestro Farberman will be available for telephone consultations concerning the orchestra, the program, the instrumentation, etc.
Terms:
A 50% deposit is required upon notice of acceptance. The fee will be forwarded to
the chosen orchestra and is non - refundable.
Six weeks prior to the first rehearsal the remaining 50% is to be paid and is non - refundable. (If illness or other unforeseen circumstances intervene, Cortelu will make every effort to find a suitable guest replacement.)
To apply, please click here.
Cortelu Music
P.O. Box 369
Germantown, NY 12526
Phone/Fax (518) 537-5955
E-mail us: Corky@cortelu.com