Preserving Excellence

"We have the world's best school of cello playing, the best school of wind instruments... Take a look at the major orchestras in Europe; all the principal positions are occupied by French musicians. And yet, we continue flagellating ourselves. It's unbelievable that politicians don't realize that this is the future." This is what René Martin, founder of La Folle Journée de Nantes, recently declared (Le Courrier de l'Ouest, January 31st). How can one not share in his exasperation?