That point was made once again a few weeks back at a Davies Symphony Hall press conference, as Tilson Thomas announced plans for the symphony's 2001-'02 season. The season also will include a return to last year's Mavericks theme, expanded from its original American scope to include Italian and Pan-American composers including Luciano Berio and Edgard Varese. These are the choices that grab headlines. Drawing from nearly every corner of the repertoire, he has programmed works that will be worth hearing, and discussing, all season. Of course, Tilson Thomas will never get a 100 percent approval rating in the Bay Area, where the symphony audience is better-educated, and more diverse, than most.
Tastes are specific here, and advocacy for certain composers strong.
Others think it's too conservative. Tilson Thomas' task in the last seven years has been to encompass, and somehow appeal to, all of those diverse interests and factions. That means Tilson Thomas is reaching younger listeners, just at a time when audiences for classical music are reportedly declining. Something that will give them a lot to enjoy, and also a lot to talk about over the next few days. I think the concert hall is a forum of ideas and surprises.