The Vienna Philharmonic Now Boasts a Cohort of 24 Women in Its Ranks – Sky Bulletin
[ad_1]
The shift in the musical landscape of the Vienna Philharmonic became more pronounced when clarinetist Andrea Götsch became a member in 2019, defying her own expectations. Speaking to The Associated Press, Götsch, aged 29, recounted her amazement and joy, noting how the notion of joining such an esteemed ensemble once felt like a distant dream.
For over a century and a half since its establishment in 1842, the Vienna Philharmonic held fast to its tradition of being an all-male ensemble. This changed in 1997, and currently, out of 145 members and three vacancies, 24 are women. The orchestra’s chairman, Daniel Froschauer, is proactive about this evolution and finds it a natural progression considering the number of women in music schools.
Home to the distinguished group since 1870 is Vienna’s Musikverein. The musicians maintain autonomous control over key decisions, ranging from leadership to program selections. Members are primarily drawn from the Vienna State Opera Orchestra. The orchestra has maintained a presence at the Salzburg Festival since 1922.
Prior to official recognition as members, women like harpist Anna Lelkes performed with the Philharmonic, yet held no formal status until Lelkes’ admission as the first female member. Albena Danailova later became the first female concertmaster. On the occasion of Mahler’s Ninth Symphony performance conducted by Franz Welser-Möst at Carnegie Hall, Danailova, now 48, led the strings section.
The gender distribution within the ensemble includes a variety of instruments: 14 violins, two violas, two cellos, one double bass, two harps, one flute, one clarinet, and one bassoon. Comparative figures reveal that although the Berlin Philharmonic welcomed its first female musician in 1982, the Vienna Philharmonic’s growth showcases its commitment to gender diversity.
In discussing the audition process, Froschauer emphasized the importance of merit. Screened auditions ensure impartiality, with removal of screens only upon request. Musicians undergo a rigorous process before gaining full membership status, including a trial period with the State Opera Orchestra and then acceptance into the Philharmonic.
Anneleen Lenaerts, a harpist who joined the Vienna Philharmonic in 2014, shared her journey of unexpectedly winding up in a high-caliber orchestra and adapting to the professional demands as well as the cultural nuances of working in Austria.
For Götsch, her introduction to the orchestra was initially as a substitute before eventually securing a permanent role. Her responsibilities go beyond performances; as the Ordnungswahrerin on the management committee, she oversees rehearsal attendance and handles last-minute personnel changes.
The Vienna Philharmonic’s adoption of a more gender-inclusive policy heralds a cultural shift in one of the world’s most prestigious classical music institutions. Once an unyielded male preserve, the orchestra has come to embody the virtues of diversity and equality, embracing female musicians who are equally zealous in their pursuit of musical excellence. The integration of women into its ranks signifies a harmonious blend where talent transcends the barriers of gender, heralding a new era in the rich history of the Vienna Philharmonic.
[ad_2]