Maestro Daniel Barenboim is being driven away by the extracurricular demands made on him by the board of trustees and the management of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (“Barenboim leaving CSO,” Page 1, Feb. 20).
Did the board of trustees or the chancellor of the University of Chicago ever try to force Enrico Fermi or Saul Bellow to raise funds, to do community outreach or to have more presence in the cultural and social life of the city? Fortunately they did not; they knew that their proper function is not to boss a genius but to find the money and to create the atmosphere that attracts, nurtures and keeps superior talent.
Board members and administrators of the symphony should realize that these kind of demands on Barenboim’s would-be successor may turn away the best candidates.
Nevertheless there is some hope: A candidate could possibly see two great attractions for the post. One is definitely in place. It is the superb musicianship and utmost devotion of the players of the CSO. The other one must come from the board, a commitment that it will let the music director and the orchestra devote all their energies to their only obligation, to make great music.
