Episode 133: Thomas W. Morris

Over the course of 34 years, Thomas W. Morris worked at the top levels of the symphony orchestra world, running two of the biggest and most famous, the Boston Symphony and The Cleveland Orchestra.

Throughout, though, he developed a sense of institutional malaise, on how classical music is presented these days.

He capped his career becoming artistic director of California's Ojai Music Festival. There, Thomas reimagined music experiences by challenging all aspects of making music and producing concerts.

Thomas’s book, Always The Music is the story of his growth through the highest levels of the world of classical music, his learning and insights into how storied musical institutions function, how great artists create, and how audiences engage. 

The book’s final chapter offers a thoughtful prescription for the American orchestra. 

Mostly, though, this is the story of one man's lifelong love affair with great music and the people who make it.

Like the book, this is an instructive and entertaining episode!