ArtsWatch

The Philadelphia Orchestra's annual meeting Thursday was a snapshot of a cultural organization in a state of enormous change - at the artistic, board and staff levels all at once. Board chairman Hal Sorgenti says "decisive leadership" is what's needed. Can't argue there.
BTW, take a look at this.
The Philadelphia Orchestra this season has an unusually busy schedule in the ten or so days before official opening night of the 2008-09 season.
-Tuesday, Sept. 23d at 7 p.m. at City Hall the orchestra plays a free neighborhood concert.
-Wednesday the 24th at 6 p.m., the newly restored chandelier in the Academy of Music is unveiled.
-Thursday the 25th at 7 p.m. in Verizon Hall it performs a free concert for college students. Also on this night, at 9 p.m., WHYY (Channel 12) airs Maestro, a one-hour documentary about former music director Wolfgang Sawallisch.
- Friday the 26th at 2 p.m. is the first subscription concert of the season (repeated Sept. 30).
- Saturday the 27 at 7:30 p.m. the orchestra plays with the Wanamaker Organ in Macy’s Center City for a special concert to benefit ongoing organ restoration.
- Incoming chief conductor and artistic adviser Charles Dutoit arrives Oct. 2 in a concert with pianist Martha Argerich. The concert is repeated Oct. 3, and in a slightly abbreviated format Oct. 4 for what the orchestra calls, finally, “Opening Night.”
Information: 215-893-1999 and www.philorch.org.