Ukrainian National Orchestra seeks British musicians
NewsThe Musicians Answering Service has put out a call for players of all instruments to join the Ukrainian orchestra whhich is touring the UK until April 25.
Apparently, ‘a large number of the orchestra have not been able to travel due to an issue with their visas.’
The MAS adds: ‘We have not worked with this orchestra before. We know very little about them and what the situation would be in terms of MU help if problems arise during the tour.’
As things stand, the first two concerts this week seem likely to be cancelled for lack of players.
There could do worse than get hold of players from the BBC orchestras. These are excellent musicians whose futures would be far more promising there.
Offering freelance work to freelance players is much better than offering it to full time, salaried BBC musicians.
So maybe the war in Ukraine isn’t as awful as we’re told? If the orchestra has the funds and freedom to play and travel, what’s the problem? Seems really odd to me.
Are you sure about this story? The National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine is touring the UK from 17 October to 5 November. Have a look at the IMG artists website -https://imgartists.com/roster/national-symphony-orchestra-of-ukraine-17-october-05-november-2023/ The poster above seems to be for that tour. Has someone been playing you a rather nasty April fool’s joke?
No April fool.
The dates all exist. This is a Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter country-wide tour. Guess the promoter wanted to import cheaper foreign labour…. the promotional theatre websites call the orchestra several different names…..
Suddenly it’s too late and they are stuck with Brits!
First gig of the tour is here….
“State symphony Orchestra of Ukraine ” which is a fictional name.
https://www.portsmouthguildhall.org.uk/whats-on/event/the-lord-of-the-rings-the-hobbit-in-concert/
Some websites for the LOTR/ Harry Potter concerts call the orchestra the Belorussian State Orchestra some the London Philharmonic Orchestra and some the London Symphonic Orchestra:)
https://www.palaumusica.cat/en/programme_314?date=2023-04-01&subset=all
they were supposed to play in Barcelona just 2 days ago and got cancelled.
this is an orchestra put together by a promoter. the name is invented on the spot.
Yes. It is nothing to do with the National Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine which Norman has pictured.
People who did some of the gigs saying on Facebook that they’ve not been paid and MU are investigating. I saw the player requests the promoter posted and they looked very suspect (needing a huge list of instruments at short notice, very light on rehearsal/concert details, no fee details). Beware!
Ticket holders have been fully refunded for Portsmouth because the show was a total disaster. I wonder if Usher Hall is going ahead tomorrow?
Really hope the audience have a better experience. Prices are up to £69!
https://www.usherhall.co.uk/whats-on/music-lord-rings-hobbit-and-rings-power-concert
There are some brilliantly witty reviews of the Portsmouth gig here.
Nobody blames the orchestra.
https://www.reddit.com/r/lotr/comments/128ydfm/portsmouth_guildhall_lotr_concert_disaster/
Will the LOTR Harry Potter Tour continue? At least 30 more venues are booked this month.
This little paragraph was also included in some emails:
‘A playback is being used so the musicians are needed more for the the orchestra to look full on stage rather than for the sound.’
The greedy promoters are to blame. Eastern European musicians have been involved in similar projects in the UK over the years. I don’t know much about visas but is this more difficult to do now post-Brexit? If so, I can only guess the promotor has had its fingers burnt trying to exploit the UK emergency visas for Ukraine refugees. A cynic might say they tried to boost ticket sales and fool an UK audience in to thinking they are helping Ukrainian musicians.
There are at least 30 more UK events in this tour. The theatres concerned should be very careful because they are fraudulently promoting “concerts” whereas the musicians are being booked to play along to recordings.
It is also questionable whether permission has been obtained from the rights holders of the original sound tracks to be used in this way.
‘A playback is being used so the musicians are needed more for the the orchestra to look full on stage rather than for the sound.’ “Musicians Answering Service”
Ukraine was never part of EU ” freedom of movement ” that was lost to Brexit so this sounds like an excuse. Each visa applicant would have needed a British sponsor and Star-Entertainment who are the promoters of this tour are not a British company…. sounds like they didn’t do their homework…..
Here the orchestra are suddenly the ” London Symphonic and London Philharmonic Film Orchestra “. Isn’t selling tickets like this a criminal offence?
https://www.middlesbroughtownhall.co.uk/event/the-magical-music-of-harry-potter/
It would appear the April 4th ” concerts” where no better…. this is a disgrace.
https://www.filmscoremonthly.com/board/posts.cfm?threadID=150861&forumID=1&archive=0
Shocking….
https://www.reddit.com/r/lotr/comments/128ydfm/portsmouth_guildhall_lotr_concert_disaster/jf0pkxu/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_content=1&utm_term=1&context=3
Barbican York cancelled.
https://www.yorkbarbican.co.uk/whats-on/the-music-of-the-lord-of-the-rings-and-the-hobbit-and-the-rings-of-power-in-concert/