Several orchestras have gone bankrupt & stopped playing since 2001. Here you can keep track of news relating to their situation: A MUST read.
The New Cultural Superpower
In the not too distant past, the Cold War superpowers competed on a number of fronts, including cultural accomplishments. Although classical music functioned in a unique role as a sort of “universal language” spoken by musicians who served as ad hoc ambassadors, both superpowers wanted their ambassador musicians to speak the language a little better than other side. We can thank that cold war mentality for contributing to the birth of …