Local Symphony a Hotbed for Machiavellian Political Maneuvering

[Fenris]

The past six months represent some of the most divisive and troubled moments in the history of the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, with some orchestra members expressing bitter opposition to Gerard Schwarz, music director for more than two decades, as well as internecine battles among the musicians.

Stimulated by the renewal of Schwarz's contract in the spring, the conflict became increasingly nasty and violent: instruments were vandalized, cars keyed, anonymous phone calls made, mail stolen from backstage mail slots and doorbells at musicians' homes rung anonymously at night. These acts of harassment stopped in late June, when the orchestra went on vacation, then resumed late last month, a couple of weeks after the start of the symphony season.

<...>

Friday morning at an orchestra rehearsal, Mary Ann Champion, interim executive director, addressed the musicians on what she termed, in an earlier interview, "a safe work environment and incidents backstage." She said she did not plan to mention any names but would tell musicians that management "will not accept inappropriate behavior" and promised "increased security."

The reaction by orchestra members was mixed, sources said. One key player gave Champion the finger as she left the podium.

<...>

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/classical/288655_sso14.html

[flamingyouth]

1. This may be just the thing to finally get me interested in classical music

[terrya]

2. Wow...that is one tough symphony.

Yikes...it sounds like they could whip the CSO's asses.

[Bossy Monkey]

3. As far as I know, they all are

but they mainly only take it as far as backstabbing and snarkiness

[Ellen Forradalom]

4. That's a headline straight from The Onion

the Seattle PI needs to stop stealing their material :-)

[Fenris]

9. *I* stole it. Their headline was boring.

:7

[spindrifter]

5. We were at a performance last week

and I have to say, concert mistress Maria Larionoff looked totally uptight. Schwartz seemed to be featuring the second violinist in an odd manner. What is going on? I knew there was some dissension in the run-up to selecting the concert master/mistress position, and I knew there was a lot of disgruntlement over the Maestro, with many believing he needs to have a change of scenery. He wore out his welcome in England, a side job, as well.
But in any event, the guest violinist, Stefan Jackiw, was just outstandingly impressive.

[LiberalHeart]

6. I used to date a conductor. Oh, the stories I heard...

And he was usually the culprit.

[MrCoffee]

7. Are they going to fortify Benaroya Hall? Machine gun nests in the balcony

[SOteric]

10. They already have those.

They're contractually obligated to take out anyone who coughs during the adagio.

[tjwmason]

8. The worst part is that I can well believe it.

Musicians can be the most vicious bastards around.

[Karenina]

11. WHOAA!

Is there something in the water in Seattle? I went to school with Gerry and John, both of whom were SUPER talents and good guys (trumpet and French horn players are "special"). I'm REALLY shocked to read this! :wtf: