Who knew writing about classical music could be a contact sport? Evidently it is as witnessed by the terse announcement buried at the top of p. 3 of last Sunday's arts section of the Plain Dealer that nationally respected classical music critic Donald Rosenberg would no longer be reviewing Cleveland Orchestra concerts. Rosenberg's reassignment to general arts and entertainment reporting seems to be in response to Orchestra boosters who can't hear anything wrong with Franz Welser-Most's leadership. Does that mean that Rosenberg's replacement, Zachary Lewis, must now mind his manners or get knocked from the ring as well?

It's hard to believe that someone with the musical chops that Welser-Most has would stand for this. Yes, as Tim Smith, music critic of the Baltimore Sun points out, it makes the PD look bad, but it also hurts the credibility of the Music Director of the Cleveland Orchestra. The removal of Rosenberg implies that Welser-Most needs "protecting." This is hardly the case. The PD has now also removed Welser-Most's chance to gain the credible reviews his supporters presumably want him to earn. It will be impossible to know in the future if those covering the Orchestra are being honest or just want to be sure to keep their jobs. Those of us who love the Cleveland Orchestra and are proud of it want it to "live long and prosper," but not as a result of praise written by intimidated critics. The national press and the blogs are spinning--and not with happiness. For Smith's comments see http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/classicalmusic/2008/09/critic_who_dared_criticize_cle.html. For a blog sample see http://letterv.blogspot.com/2008/09/cleveland-critic-off-case.html.

From Cool Cleveland contributor Laura Kennelly LKennellyATgmail.com

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