ABSTRACT

V irgil Thomson’s early years were spent in Kansas City and although I had but passing acquaintance with his music at the time, I thought that bringing a celebrated composer and literary hero back home would make for good programming and spark a broader than usual interest in the city’s fine but beleaguered orchestra. Virgil begged off actually conducting because of a hearing problem, but agreed to give lectures and attend the performances. During that first phone call he warned me about Kansas City: “Don’t plan to stay too long. It’s a quarrelsome town, where North meets South, East meets West, Black meets White. The Civil War tore it in half and the bankers, who are always feuding, don’t trust music. They like paintings, something tangible, with a price tag attached.” Prophetic words in the least.