By Steve Smith [NY Times, 14 July 2009]

CASTLETON, Va. — After Lorin Maazel conducted his last concerts as New York Philharmonic music director with four performances of Mahler’s grandiose “Symphony of a Thousand” in late June, you could hardly fault him for seeking escape at his country home. Mr. Maazel, 79, however, has an idea of retreat that is different from most people’s: awaiting him at his 550-acre Virginia estate, Castleton Farms, were some 200 young singers, instrumentalists, conductors and theatrical designers, assembled for the first Castleton Festival.