Catching up with Paavo

Every once in a while it's good to check in with CSO music director Paavo Jarvi, who announced today that he is planning to take the orchestra on a West Coast tour next April. Alas, they're not going to Disney Hall, or my hometown City-by-the-Bay, but some of the venues, such as Orange County and UC Davis look interesting.

I thought you'd like to eavesdrop on our conversation:

The tour, Jarvi says, "is part of our plan to try to create a profile in the United States. Because one of the things about the United States and our orchestra is, we are more well known outside, in Asia and Europe. Because there are no preconceived ideas, and in America there's a certain -- "

Stereotyping?

"Exactly."

I mentioned the blurb on the Orange County Performing Arts Center Web site, about "the nation's fifth oldest orchestra." Everything is always prefaced by that, which automatically gives Cincinnati a staid, old-fashioned image.

"The problem is that everything needs to be fought here, what Cincinnati can do and what Cincinnati is. Cincinnati is just as impressive as a city, as many other cities in America. It has a certain preconceived reputation," he says.

Jarvi was coming off of a busy three weeks of concerts and a recording session for his first all-Rach album with the CSO. "It felt good. I don't know how it will come out, but I think it'll be fine," he says.

Leonidos Kavakos is to be the tour soloist -- an easy choice, Jarvi says, "because after he came here (in Sept.) we had such a natural understanding, that I thought this would be a good opportunity to do something more with him."

I pointed out to Jarvi that Kavakos came to Cincy first as a young violinist, but this time I really felt that he had arrived at that point where he's really playing like a major artist.

"Exactly," Jarvi said. "And I think he is the kind of -- not to say late bloomer, but he has earned his success. He's not one of those kids who was sort of put on the big stage, and it's sink or swim. He's paid his dues and developed into an individual. That's the main thing -- individuality, that I like."

And for music, Jarvi is taking Nielsen's "Inextinguishable" Symphony. Was that a hard sell?

"Yes, we had to fight for it a little bit, because for some reason it's still to this day not entirely accepted as a kind of obvious part of repertoire. But I think that once they hear the piece, they'll be convinced."

Jarvi recently got some nice reviews leading the LA Philharmonic while his good friend Esa-Pekka Salonen was out of town. Is he guest conducting again out West next year?

"No, I try to guest conduct as little as possible. The only guest conducting I'm doing next year in America is Cleveland and Chicago," he says.

Aside to readers: In fact, Jarvi is one of those who is being seriously scrutinized in Chicago, as a possible successor to Daniel Barenboim.

How does he feel at the end of his fifth season? (Final concerts are Friday and Saturday in Music Hall.)

"Very tired, in fact! I mean, at the end of five seasons, I feel very well. I feel very good about what's going on here. At the end of the season, I always feel a little run down! My season doesn't really end; it continues."

Indeed, it's been a momentous year, in which he also got married to violinist Tatiana Berman. There's been no time for a honeymoon, although he's hoping for "a little time to do something in July," he says.

I mention that I noticed he's conducting for the "Baltic Sea Festival" in August, and that's something I'd like to go to.

"You should, because that's a very nice festival. I'm doing two concerts there (in Stockholm), one with the Estonian Orchestra and one with the Mariinsky Orchestra."

Finally, our conversation turns to Music Hall -- the article about crime in the neighborhood and a planned revamping of the hall. Has he gotten much feedback?

"Yes, many, many, many people were talking about it and many people still are talking about this. I think it's very good to approach the subject and to keep talking about it because it has gotten a lot of people thinking right now.

"I have gotten notes from a lot of people who were afraid we were going to leave and abandon the hall. It's not really the case, but it's important that people start thinking about it and participating in this. I'm very happy that this has generated so much talk."

Have they hired an acoustician?

"We don't have an acoustician. We just have a variety of people (theater consultants) who are going to give us options of what can be done. It now seems to be moving along. At one point quite soon there should be a decision of which direction we should go."

Attendance picked up at the end of the year. Is that encouraging?

"I think it's a little better, but it doesn't fundamentally change the issue. But it is better -- and I think it has to do with the repertoire.

"But that's exacty my problem: In order for us to remain a relevant musical organization, we cannot just become a Top-40 performer, playing the most popular pieces that guarantee sold-out houses. Our responsibility is to also do music that is new and is not as popular. Otherwise we will never develop a new audience."