Just in: Chicago cancels 2nd week of concerts

Just in: Chicago cancels 2nd week of concerts

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norman lebrecht

March 18, 2019

Message received:

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association has canceled all self-presented concerts at Symphony Center from Wednesday, March 20 to Monday, March 25. The CSOA has canceled the concerts due to the ongoing strike by musicians of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

Concerts to be canceled include:

Symphony Center Presents Special Concert featuring George Hinchliffe’s Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain on Wednesday, March 20, at 8:00 p.m.

CSO subscription concerts on Thursday, March 21, at 8:00 p.m. and Saturday, March 23, at 8:00 p.m. The program, which was to have been led by guest conductor Osmo Vänskä, featured Sibelius’ Night Ride and Sunrise, Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 3 (Scottish) and Bruch’s Violin Concerto No. 1 with Vadim Gluzman as soloist.

CSO movie presentations of An American in Paris on Friday, March 22, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 24, at 3:00 p.m.

The public and school performances of Once Upon a Symphony: The Boy and the Violin, A Brazilian folktale, on Saturday, March 23 and Monday, March 25.

Civic Chamber Music concert at the National Museum of Mexican Art on Saturday, March 23, at 2:00 p.m.

All associated pre-concert special events through March 25 are also canceled.

Announcements of cancellations for additional concerts and events that may be affected by the strike will be issued if necessary.

Comments

  • anon says:

    Can someone w explain why the CSOA would cancel concerts by other groups? It owns the hall.

    Is it doing it on purpose to put itself in a precarious financial situation to declare bankruptcy in the short term in order to gain bigger changes in the long term?

    • Mr. Knowitall says:

      Because members of AFM local 10-208 have a picket line that other unions won’t cross.

    • George Young says:

      Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association President Jeff Alexander as quoted in today’s Chicago Tribune:

      Alexander pointed out that the organization is not losing money due to cancellations this week and last.

      “The irony behind all of this is that we’re a not-for-profit organization,” he said. “Whenever we present performances, we actually lose money.”

      The losses are compensated via charitable contributions, foundation awards and other ways.

      “For the moment, this is not having a negative impact to the organization,” added Alexander.

  • kuma says:

    I’m totally bummed I am going to missi Gluzman/Vänskä performance. 🙁

  • Cyril says:

    Sad! I hope they come to a resolution. I would like to hear Maurizio Pollini at the end of the month…

  • Enquiring Mind says:

    Does the conductor and soloist still get paid the full amount?

  • CSO fan says:

    The Ukelele show was nearly sold out, so I was told.

  • barry guerrero says:

    Damn, I’ll miss out on the Ukulele Orchestra of G.B. And I couldn’t possible go on living without yet another performance of the Bruch violin concerto (#1). And I guess I’ll have to watch “An American in Paris” on dvd or Youtube or Hulu or something. At least I won’t miss out on the world premiere of some horrible modern work that would be lucky to ever get a second hearing – well, so far.

    • barry guerrero says:

      Thank you for all the ‘thumbs down’ – I know I’m doing something right. Keep them coming.

  • Tamino says:

    How does that work out for those artists who’s concert is cancelled.
    They still get their fee?

    • Anon says:

      Strikes fall under the Force Majeure clause of a contract so the orchestra is not obligated to pay the soloists their fees. An orchestra may be generous and reimburse any expenses the soloist has already incurred like travel and accommodations costs, but again, the orchestra has no obligation to under the force majeure clause.

      • Tamino says:

        But how does the cancelling of concerts of 3rd parties to the conflict benefit their cause? These were long ago planned concerts, not concerts put in place to replace the CSO concerts that are now cancelled.

    • NYMike says:

      whose, not who’s

  • Jeremy Aktin says:

    >>Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain

    They are the nicest people. Shame they’ve got affected by this.

    • Robert Groen says:

      Do you know them? They’re awesome! I can’t wait for the CD release of the Bruckner symphonies!

  • Sir David Geffen-Hall says:

    If Muti is standing by the musicians, is he donating the salary he makes to the musicians while the strike is going on?

    Is he putting his chips on the table or talking a big game while wiring the money to his bank?

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