一个可能的应对方式（解决办法）是古典音乐表演者发明有吸引力的从唱片上听不到的曲子。吉尔伯特在新音乐方面投入了自己的兴趣， 这已广被人知：如古典音乐评论家罗斯就把吉尔伯特描述成一个可以扭转交响乐方向的人，认为他把交响乐带进了一个明显不同的更有活力的天地。但是，这种“不同”的实质是什么呢？仅仅扩展交响乐的节目是不够的。吉尔伯特和交响乐要想取得成功，必须首先改变美国旧的管弦乐和它们想吸引的新的听众之间的关系。
One possible response is for classical performers to program attractive new music that is not yet available on record. Gilbert's own interest in new music has been widely noted: Alex Ross, a classical-music critic, has described him as a man who is capable of turning the Philharmonic into a markedly different, more vibrant organization. But what will be the nature of that difference? Merely expanding the orchestra's repertoire will not be enough. If Gilbert and the Philharmonic are to succeed, they must first change the relationship between American’s oldest orchestra and the new audience it hopes to attract.