Others are more unsure. Eschenbach has not been with the Philadelphia Orchestra since 1996 and has not made an overwhelming impression. The orchestra could pull a rabbit out of the hat. Robertson is back in January. Ashkenazy, who hasn't visited since 1997, returns in February.
Orchestra management refuses to comment on any of the candidates.
If it did so, argues president Joseph H. Kluger, the orchestra would risk souring its relationship with a conductor who may not be on the short list and would risk alienating a second or third choice who might otherwise never know that he is not a first choice. He gives us his opinions, and in some cases, when he has a relationship with conductors, he has spoken with them on our behalf. And Sawallisch is a man of charm and persuasion.