The Montreal conductor Yannick Nézét-Séguin has issued a short statement, explaining his decision to cancel Chicago concerts this month.
‘Due to an overly taxing fall schedule, I made the extremely difficult decision to create additional time in my schedule for rest and study.’
That’s it. No apology, no direct communication with Chicago, its musicians and media, no promise to make good – no, the statement was issued by the Philadelphia Orchestra, via the New York Times. Andrew Patner gives the local reaction here.
This is a very bad start for a young conductor. I hope he does well next season in Philadelphia, because he won’t be welcomed many places else for a very long time.
In any other business, Yannick and his new band would face a lawsuit for breach of contract.