The Philadelphia Orchestra has a genteel rivalry with its illustrious neighbor to the west, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Though not among the"Big Five" American orchestras, Pittsburgh is certainly in that league. And then there were those neck-and-neck European tours where Pittsburgh had more, and classier, dates than Philadelphia.
And to add insult to injury, the two orchestras once arrived at the same airport, with Pittsburgh getting through customs first. Earlier this year, Pittsburgh moved in on some of Philadelphia’s home territory with its annual visit to the Mann Center.
So what are those "Fabulous Philadelphians" up against? The Philadelphia Inquirer's David Patrick Stearns discovered a surprisingly gentle conductor who isn't out to compete with anybody, but may be leading Pittsburgh into another golden age.