Yuri Temirkanov

IT HAS been fascinating to read the many viewpoints expressed over the last few weeks in The Sun concerning the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra's programming. We welcome the exchange of ideas and believe that this debate can help to bring about an even richer programming mix. When we plan the BSO season, we are inspired above all by the artistic vision of our music director, Yuri Temirkanov, the ideas of our guest conductors, the artistic aspirations of our musicians and the diverse tastes of our audience.

Symphony does need to explore new avenues Tim Smith's suggestions for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra deserve posting on every BSO bulletin board ("Fine-tuning the BSO," Dec. 29). And Mr. Smith is most courageous to criticize an administration that is both hide-bound and arrogant. Unfortunately, he doesn't go far enough. My view is that it's time for a management change. The administration doesn't have the perspective to take the orchestra forward. The ill-timed dissolution of the BSO Chorus, when every community bridge needed to be strengthened, is a good case in point.

Lang Lang Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 3. Scriabin: Etudes. Lang Lang, pianist; St. Petersburg Philharmonic; Yuri Temirkanov, conductor. (Telarc SACD-60582) **** Audiences who have already heard Lang Lang in person know what to expect when this young Chinese pianist gets near a piano - spontaneous (and contagious) combustion. With his technical fireworks, interpretive passion and imagination, and unalloyed enthusiasm for every note, he's one of the most exciting talents to emerge in years.

Yuri Temirkanov has launched what is, in effect, a two-week Russian festival with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra - three programs (only one out of eight scheduled compositions isn't by a Russian), three Russian guest artists. Judging by the first concert Thursday night at Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, the concentration is going to be a fruitful one. Although it has certainly been fascinating and revealing to hear Temirkanov's take on non-Russian repertoire, there's an extra appeal to the authority and insight he brings to music of his homeland.

The last time Yuri Temirkanov conducted the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra was back in December - in Germany, where the ensemble's European tour ended. The last time he stood on a podium in Meyerhoff Symphony Hall was less than two weeks ago - leading the St. Petersburg Philharmonic. Given the combination of his prolonged absence and that recent triumphant appearance with his other orchestra, Temirkanov's return to the BSO for concerts this weekend cannot help but generate extra interest.

Since their ignoble arrival in the U. S. nearly three weeks ago, the musicians of the St. Petersburg Philharmonic appear to have been paragons of sobriety and social etiquette. Call it an Absolut(e) recovery. The whole orchestra was unceremoniously de-planed Feb. 18 at Dulles Airport after an eventful flight from Amsterdam and forced to wait until the next day to continue on to the intended destination, Los Angeles, amid charges of excessive vodka consumption and unruly conduct. Not the best publicity for the start of a four-week, 21-concert, 18-city tour.

BERLIN - The shout of "Wunderbar!" coming from the balcony of the Berlin Philharmonie after the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra's encore last night said it all. There was, indeed, something wonderful about the concert. The musicians can head on to Vienna today for an equally high-profile appearance feeling confident, even proud. They played the heck out of Beethoven in Berlin. Backstage afterward, music director Yuri Temirkanov looked more pleased than he has at any time during the tour.

The last time the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra traveled to Europe, there were two Germanys, a Soviet Union, lingering Cold War rhetoric and relatively few worries about safety. When the orchestra flies from Baltimore-Washington International Airport on Tuesday for a three-week, 12-city tour of a more unified and peaceful Europe, it will be accompanied by its own security manager for the first time. During a lunch break between rehearsals last week, the musicians received a briefing from that manager, Jeffrey Pursell, a retired security officer with the State Department whose background includes a stint with the U.S. Embassy in Yemen.

Baltimore's symphony promises to thrive under new maestro Tim Smith is absolutely correct in his synopsis of David Zinman's resignation as music director emeritus of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) ("Zinman leaving BSO post," Sept. 17). And he placed that announcement in the proper perspective of the past week's tragedies. Mr. Smith's timing is 100 percent on; Mr. Zinman's is 100 percent off. The BSO has never sounded as good as it does under the musical direction of Maestro Yuri Temirkanov.

In light of last week, many things seem less important now. That's how I view the extraordinary news that David Zinman has decided to relinquish his title of music director emeritus of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, voicing displeasure with the priorities of his successor on the podium, Yuri Temirkanov. Understandably, folks at the BSO don't want to talk much about this strange development. It struck without apparent warning and without much sense. But, in the grand scheme of things, Zinman's action is not really so damaging to the orchestra.