Dropping pessimism for a moment, here's why we should be thankful today

It's easy to be pessimistic about the Classical music scene today. After all, we've watched the major labels crumble, and apprehension about the future of musicians' careers has been widespread. I have my concerns, too. But there are a few bright spots that are worth remembering. So yes, Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Let's take a look. Regardless of the overall state of the recording industry, the fact remains that when recordings are actually released, they are in better sound than ever before. Audiophiles have their preferred formats, but even for the regular listener, we have new technology available that makes recordings more vibrant and life-like. And we're seeing in-house orchestra labels continue to produce new recordings. No label has outdone BR Klassik, the label of the Bavarian Radio Symphony, in producing many recordings under the leading conductors of the day, all in incredible sound. But 2014 has also seen the start of Berliner Philharmoniker Recordings, the orchestra's own label. If they decide to turn prolific like their counterparts in Munich, it could be thrilling. Let's hope.

Listeners and critics bewail the loss of past greatness, worrying that the podium no longer sees as much inspiration. And Claudio Abbado and Lorin Maazel both breathed their last this year. All the same, we've never seen the orchestras at a higher level of virtuosity. The Berlin Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony, London Symphony, Bavarian Radio Symphony, Royal Concertgebouw, and the Vienna Philharmonic are among the standouts. Combined with the better sound afforded by the recording producers, we are hearing whole layers of detail that weren't possible before.

And we're still hearing fresh, inspiring new recordings. Just yesterday I returned to Jansons' new recording of the Verdi Requiem, which shows astonishing conviction--I was deeply moved. Looking ahead to 2015, we'll likely see the selecting of new conductors for both the Berlin Philharmonic and London Symphony--very exciting. So we have much to be thankful for, even in the midst of uncertainty. Music has a way of transcending limitations.