Another report from the ongoing saga of the devolution of the Columbus Symphony Orchestra. As I’ve noted in previous posts, I have sung in the Columbus Symphony Chorus for over 15 years.
The Columbus Symphony Orchestra announced last week that Music Director Junichi Hirokami has been terminated. Hirokami also sent a letter to the musicians announcing the decision.
Hirokami’s release was certainly not based on the quality of his on-stage performance. It seems to be based clearly on spite/revenge/inability to take criticism/irreconcilable differences (you pick one). Hirokami very publicly sided with musicians in their recent labor dispute with the Board, criticizing the quality of management in an article in the New York Times, most likely leading to this dismissal after the lockout ended in late September.
Hirokami was very clearly adored and respected by the musicians. As a casual observer, my observations were that he brought a discipline to their playing that previous conductors had generally been unable to draw out of them and they loved playing for him. In the performances where he conducted the Symphony Chorus, he was respectful, professional, and very clear about not only what he expected of us, but also very clear on leading us in that direction. He earned our respect by treating us with respect and encouragement. The bottom line – under Hirokami, the CSO was making world class music. Great hope had been placed on enhancing the CSO’s reputation with a recording of Tchaikovsky’s Symphony Number 5, recorded live at two concerts last year in the midst of blizzard conditions before a sparse audience. Those I know who were at those concerts said it was magnificent, and early reports of the final recording have indicated the same thing.
The disk will be released tomorrow. In Japan only. Featuring a picture of Hirokami on the cover. There is no word yet on an American release date, or if it will be made available through the CSO. So, if anything, this will enhance Hirokami’s reputation as a budding star on the international conducting circuit.
So, to sum up the situation at the Columbus Symphony Orchestra:
- The musicians have taken a drastic pay cut after being locked out.
- Several key musicians bolted for greener pastures during the lockout.
- More key musicians are expected to bolt over the summer.
- The Music Director whom they respected and adored and drew out their best musical performances has now been fired by the board for siding with the musicians
- During a time when the morale will be lowest ever, there will be no Music Director and extreme animosity between the musicians and the Board as we begin another search, a search that will be conducted with minimal musician involvement, as the new contract they signed after the lockout takes away their veto power over the hiring of the Music Director, a clear effort by the Board to make the next maestro beholden to the Board, not the musicians.
- Given the state of the orchestra, and the expected attrition and lower pay, the chances of filling open musician positions with top talent is slim because word has gotten around about the condition of the orchestra in musician circles.
- With an anticipated lower quality of replacement musicians, not to mention the strained relation of the Board and musicians, the chances of hiring a truly gifted Music Director who can take the CSO to the next level are pretty slim. What up and coming maestro would want to come to Columbus and potentially derail his/her entire career from having stepped in this mess?
- Oh yeah – and in the midst of all this mess, they need to convince the public to come out and buy tickets. And the donors to step up their giving in the midst of recession. And establish an endowment as the only credible way forward to fiscal stability.
