Orchestra is formally charged with having ‘a bullying culture’
OrchestrasThe Aalborg Symphony Orchestra in Denmark has been summoned by the state Working Environment Authority to explain and remedy an unacceptable climate of violence and intimidation at work.
The charge sheet cites ‘offensive acts which take place almost daily and which have been going on for many years.’ The authority says it is surprised it has not been notified of more cases of PTSD in the orchestra.
The orchestra, which also serves the Jyske Opera, has been without a music director for eight years. The incoming chief conductor is the American Joshua Weilerstein. Is he aware of the bullying? He is now.
The orchestra’s recordings appear on the DaCapo label.
Read more here.
photo: Da Capo
I don’t think it’s right to bring Wielerstein into this story, seeing as he doesn’t take up his job in Aalborg for another 6 months…
Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.
Didn’t Celi call some common attitude in the classical music world in DK “aggressive amateurism”?
Many amateurs are vastly more passionate and knowledgeable than many pros…..
The picture you have chosen is not from Aalborg but Aarhus.
That’s good to know, because that certainly does not look like a rough crowd to me! I thought Danes generally get more mellow with aquavit and a Tuborg beer chaser.
This is what happens when players that can no longer play get upset when asked to play. Is this effort to protect the egos of negative contributors worth it? Obviously not. Go back to the practice room, Karen.
The accusation of a ‘bullying culture’ has nothing to do with the performance ability of individual players. If there are doubts about a musicians performance ability, professional ensembles have procedures of inquiry and dismissal if necessary.
Given the competitive audition process that singles out desirable performers, and the probationary period that follows; disciplinary action is not common with tenured musicians, and does not require your tired and uninformed accusations.
Bullying is purely a negative social behavior. The same is true in this instance.
You might think your use of “Karen” is clever, for most people it simply indicates we can ignore what you are saying.
I decided to ignore it way before ‘Karen’.
Surprised the London orchestras haven’t been caught, but they are very good at hiding a bullying culture, calling it Artistic License.
And in the regions too, seen it close up.
Very well said. Martyn Brabbins being the master of such practices.
B*ll*cks.
Everyone needs to read the actual article.
Highlights are demeaning comments, rolling eyes and shaking head are extremely serious behaviors that could lead to depression and anxiety.
Sounds like Denmark is WAY ahead of the US in creating soft beta humans. Impressive, really.
You might think your use of “beta” is clever, but for most of us it simply indicates that we can safely ignore you.
You already tried that line above in response to Mortimer’s comment. I regret to inform you that you aren’t nearly as clever as you think you are. Swing and a miss (x2), msc.
Very well put. I could give you examples of the behaviour of the Copenhagen Opera Chorus to back up your statement (but won’t, because I’ll be taken to court). Ask around, you’ll find out.
This happens everywhere. Professional, amateurs, students. EVERYWHERE. It is the culture and it’s shameful.
Of course, you’ve been everywhere and asked everybody.
wow. sick burn.
@Riley: It happens everywhere, it’s…reality.
This article seems to be from almost a year ago… what’s the news value? It seems to deal with a common issue of many orchestras where the care for the musician’s well being used to be the least of concern for management. Those times have changed and are changing rapidly. I for myself have worked with the Aalborg Symphony less than half a year ago and did not encounter any of the issues brought up here.
I am no longer surprised when adults have not behaved as adults.
Having worked in an orchestra for many years where the toxicity of a management ready to gaslight players to exert control, where mental health “concerns” were alluded to as a weapon of shaming, where occupational health referrals were made by management to humiliate and get rid of staff and where ostracism was encouraged as a technique to divide and rule, the headline that an “orchestra is formally charged with bullying culture” comes as of little surprise to many in the business.
Rewrite your comment, using inverted commas for the words ‘toxicity’, ‘gaslight’, ‘mental health’ and far more people will understand what you mean.
Thanks for the “tip”.
Very “helpful”, but I don’t see the “problem” myself.
There’s apparently quite a fine line between authoritarian leadership (bullying) and an all-suffocating hygge-mentality where everyone loves each other.
Murder and mayhem in music land. Conductorless group alleged to have led a life for eight years of anarchy and orchestrated abuse, causing Vietnam-like PTSD in members.
The article here seems to be very much more catastrophic than the Danish BT newspaper article which reports an “unhealthy atmosphere of mobbing” among the musicians.
Will we ever know the truth?
Norman, why are you writing an entry on a news story from 10 months ago and presenting in the present tense? Is it possible someone from within the Aalborg Symphony who might have an axe to grind forwarded this to you in order to stir something up, or do you actually read through the archives of foreign tabloids looking for juicy orchestra dirt to air?