You might think that having Esa-Pekka Salonen quitting as music director would have mitigated the SFSO’s appetite for public conflict.
Not a bit of it.
Last week the musicians distributed leaflets before a concert honouring ex-MD Michael Tilson Thomas, accusing the organisation of stalling negotiations for a new wage contract.
The management has hit back with a statement, calling the leaflets ‘misleading, and adding: ‘As we continue labor negotiations, we are disappointed that the musicians’ representatives have yet to acknowledge the seriousness of the financial circumstances confronting our institution, our city, and our sector.’
The musicians’ union rep responded: ‘It is incredibly disheartening that Symphony leadership has chosen to launch a smear campaign against their own musicians while they claim to be negotiating in good faith.’
San Francisco is nowhere near appointing a credible music director. Several key musicians are auditioning elsewhere.
This war of words can only lead one place: back to the barricades.
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