Peter Dobrin, the Inquirer Classical Music Critic, endorses Vladimir Jurowski (born 1972) as Music Director of the Philadelphia Orchestra:
Today, we prefer speed-dating, with all its superficiality and risks. Some musicians said it wouldn't hurt if Jurowski smiled more or said "good morning." Really? Can that be a criterion in this search? It might be better to have a cheery back-slapper with poor rehearsal technique and limited insight than a stern-faced genius? Is this the level of dialogue today in the orchestra?
The alternative to bring that shimmering Philly Sound back to the splendor of its past?
A limited commitment by Charles Dutoit (born 1936), writes Dobrin. And here's -- again -- the usual dilemma of big companies: youth vs experience, risky choice v known quantity, upcoming v established, etc.
Chances of re-hiring the ghosts of Jenö or Stokie remain low.