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American Audiences Missing Out On Many Great Performers

Pianist Eric Le Sage

Over the past decade or so, it has become increasingly difficult for overseas musicians without well-established reputations in the U.S. to get permission to travel here for work. However, as WRTI's Jim Cotter reports, when a powerhouse such as The Philadelphia Orchestra wants a particular soloist, they usually get their man, or woman.

It's chicken and eggs for non-U.S. based musicians. Unless you have already proven your artistic merit to the State Department, or you have U.S. representation, it's difficult to get a work visa.  American music lovers should care about this because, in practice, we're being denied the opportunity to hear many fine performers.  Pianist Eric Le Sage says that the changing media climate has also changed the way artists become more widely recognized.

Le Sage, widely regarded in Europe as one of the finest pianists of his generation, has gained renown for his interpretations of the music of Robert Schumann and great French repertoire, especially Francis Poulenc.

http://youtu.be/fp2qtqoReGY

Eric Le Sage was in town recently to perform Poulenc's Aubade, a Jazz Age ballet/piano concerto hybrid with The Philadelphia Orchestra and Philadanco. 

EricLesage040714JC90.mp3
Hear more from Jim Cotter’s interview with pianist Eric Le Sage ahead of his 2014 performance of Poulenc’s "Aubade" with the Philadelphia Orchestra.