Gerard Schwarz opting out of Liverpool

By Melinda Bargreen
Seattle Times music critic

Gerard Schwarz: "I've given it my all."

E-mail this article Print this article Search archive Most read articles Most e-mailed articles

It's official: Gerard Schwarz will leave his post as music director of Liverpool's Royal Philharmonic Orchestra in 2006, at the end of his five-year contract. But Schwarz says his decision did not result from any conflict with the orchestra, which was widely reported to have taken a ballot vote in April against the renewal of the conductor's contract.

Schwarz earlier explained that despite reports in the British press, there was no such vote. Instead, he said, "the orchestra took a voice vote on the question, 'Do we think the music director has too much power?' "

Yesterday, Schwarz reiterated that he isn't leaving because of the musicians. But the issue does seem to be power — the power (or lack of it) to make Schwarz's dreams for the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic come true.

"The musicians are wonderful," he says, "and we just did a fantastic recording of the music of Margaret Brouwer. ... But there are other difficulties. It's a very challenging environment here; there are a lot of economic issues. The musicians' pay scale and working conditions are crucially important. These are my problems, too, things that I have needed to fight for."

The Royal Liverpool Philharmonic's financial troubles have been widely reported, as has the fact that the number of players has been cut by about a dozen from the original roster of 88. Other cost-cutting measures have trimmed the number of concerts for next season. The financially strapped orchestra needs to raise an additional million pounds (about $1.7 million) next year to replace emergency funding from Arts Council England.

To Schwarz, the decision to go or stay boils down to a central issue: "My vision for the orchestra." He said he needed to be certain that his plans for the orchestra would be supported, including many ideas for Liverpool's celebration as the European Capital of Culture in 2008, and for the 800th anniversary of the city's founding in 2007.

"The chief executive (mayor) of the city and the chairman of the city council met with me yesterday (Wednesday)," Schwarz said, "to try to convince me to stay three more years. But I have to do what's best for me, and that is not to continue to take on this responsibility."

Michael Elliott, chief executive of the RLPO, said that the orchestra has "offered a significant continuing relationship to Maestro Schwarz to work with the orchestra through to, and including, 2008." Schwarz would not discuss terms of that relationship, but said he would nonetheless end his relationship with the orchestra after the expiration of his contract.

During his three years in Liverpool, Schwarz and the orchestra have made several highly regarded recordings on the orchestra's own label, RLPOLive, with repertoire including Strauss, Shostakovich, Rachmaninoff and Mahler.

"I've given it my all," says Schwarz of his Liverpool post, "and we have made great artistic strides together. I look forward to two more years of great music-making with this orchestra."
 
In Seattle, Schwarz will remain in his post of music director of Seattle Symphony, beginning his 20th season this September.

Melinda Bargreen: mbargreen@seattletimes.com