There are always sensitive political considerations involved in taking over an orchestra - but Rattle's successful campaign to improve the salaries at the Berlin Philharmonic before even picking up the baton is likely to stand him in good stead.
As the rhetoric heats up, concerns over the looming fiscal cliff could rattle already jittery markets, throwing off risky assets and disrupting anemic economic growth.
Certainly I would expect some fairly negative economic numbers over the next few months that could rattle the market, providing some buying opportunities.
Britain's Sir Simon Rattle, reckoned ideal by many insiders, rules himself out not least because he will be taking over as chief conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic in 2002.