NY Phil trumpet had a star girlfriend at time of rape complaint

More details are emerging of the events in Vail on July 24-25, 2010 at which two New York Philharmonic musicians were questioned about a  rape. Eight years later, both men were sacked from the orchestra – only to be reinstated after union-led arbitration.

The alleged main perpetrator was the Philharmonic’s associate principal trumpet, Matthew Muckey.

Slipped Disc can reveal that Muckey had a girlfriend at the time. The pair had been together for at least two years.

The girlfriend’s name is Yuja Wang.

Here is what Yuja told Joshua Kosman in June 2010: ‘My boyfriend, Matthew Muckey, who is a trumpet player with the New York Philharmonic, is from Sacramento; we met three years ago when I was performing with the orchestra.’

In the week of the rape accusations in Vail, Yuja was playing halfway across the world at Verbier – two recitals, one solo and another with Joshua Bell. She returned to the US via China in the second week of August and has no connection whatsoever with the events that took place in Vail.

The issue is, when did she learn that her boyfriend Muckey was questioned about a rape, and what did she do about it?

Yuja is due to be artist in residence at the NY Philharmonic next season. Her ex-guy Matthew Muckey still holds the position of Associate Principal Trumpet in the orchestra. Questions will be asked. Yuja may need to find some answers.

Pictured: Yuja Wang, Verbier, July 2010

UPDATE: Muckey’s co-accused, principal oboe Liang Wang, is down to play a concerto with the NY Phil on May 8-10.