Germanic Orchestral Traditions

Here is a fascinating article by William Osborne about the traditions and history of orchestral music in Europe, particularly in Vienna. His discussion does call upon the darker aspects of the musical world, particularly music in Vienna during the Nazi era and the horrible history of sexism in the Vienna Philharmonic and other orchestras in the German-speaking part of Europe.

Having lived in Vienna myself (it was around 25 years ago), and having known members of the Vienna Philharmonic, and even one of its conductors, what Osborne writes in his article rings all too true.