THE appointment of Alexander Anissimov as principal conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra has been widely welcomed. The orchestra is in great need of a period of musical stability and nurture, and it has only had one such period since the early 1980s, the three seasons from 1984 to 1987 during which Bryden Thomson was the principal conductor.

Anissimov has a galvanising influence not unlike that of Thomson and the NSO of today is both larger and technically more secure than the RTESO was when Thomson reigned. But there's a great irony in the fact that while the orchestra is actually a lot better now than it was then, most of the concerts it gives are not.

Thomson had a well earned reputation as an orchestra builder, and his inculcation of superior musical responses and orchestral practices lifted performing standards for other conductors as well. It has to be every music lover's hope that, when Anissimov takes over in September 1998, all boats will be lifted with the rising tide.

RTE took an unusually muted approach to broadcasting the good news of the Anissimov announcement, with invitations going out very late to a small pre concert function. And it was rather distributing to be told by Simon Taylor, the general manager of RTE's orchestras, that specific repertoire has not yet been discussed for Anissimov's term in Dublin. Repertoire planning is one of the greatest ongoing weaknesses of the NSO's output, and the appointment of a new conductor, however special, and however much loved by orchestra and public, is far from being a global solution to the problems which need to be addressed.

Matters in urgent need of attention include the curtailed subscription seasons of recent years the variable quality of soloists and visiting conductors, the failure to deliver the national touring promised as far back as 1989 and to fill all of the 93 posts which were promised at that time, the restricted nature of the orchestra's educational work, the lack of engagement with, the major music of our own time and, the general neglect of Irish repertoire aside from recent commissions.

Anissimov, it must be emphasised, is to become, the principal conductor. Artistic direction as ever, remains with RTE management.