...in a class of its own. The Cleveland Orchestra has it all, virtuosity, precision, balance, and a gorgeous new hall. The board of the orchestra has been wise to select musician conductors, rather then levitating showboaters. One can legitimately take issue with their overly-Germanic approach to programming, but guest conductors such as Ashkenazy are a welcome corrective.
Severance Hall received a much needed $37 million restoration in 2000. One would have to travel to Vienna to find a hall equal to it.
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