NY Philharmonic to add "Principal Conductor"

[ecassano]

While searching for Lorin Maazel's replacement, the New York Philharmonic has decided to add a new position of "Principal Conductor" at the top along with "Music Director". In the NY Times article http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/25/arts/music/25phil.html?ref=music Zarin Mehta says the plan is to have the music director serve 12-14 weeks and the principal conductor would pick up 8-10 weeks out of their 44-week season.

How do you think this decision will impact the musicians? What impact does having two leaders have on an orchestra?

[Sue]

Seems like this would have its pros and cons for the players. Variety of styles is nice, but it might contribute to the genericising of the ensembles' sound. I have heard some complaints in recent years about jet-setting conductors making orchestras sound more generic. Although there may still be that NY sound (the hall has a great deal to do with that), it might remain more pronounced with only one primary conductor but become more generic with two different personalities sharing the podium. Any thoughts from those in the situation?