The New York Philharmonic is cleaning house, and two of its top players just got shown the door. Principal oboist Liang Wang and associate principal trumpet Matthew Muckey are out, following serious accusations.
If this sounds familiar, it’s because both musicians were fired back in 2018. But like an unwanted encore, they were reinstated in 2020 after their union fought for them. Now, after fresh allegations surfaced in New York Magazine, the orchestra’s trying for a repeat performance – and this time, the union’s sitting this one out.
The Allegations
The details are, frankly, brutal. We’re talking about accusations of sexual misconduct, abuse of power, and according to the orchestra’s CEO Deborah Borda, sexual abuse and rape. Some allegations came from students, which adds an extra layer of terrible to an already grim situation.
The Investigation
The orchestra didn’t just wing it – they hired an employment law expert to investigate, and the findings were enough to make two-thirds of the orchestra say they’d rather not share a stage with these guys anymore. That’s like having most of your coworkers refuse to sit in the same cafeteria as you, except the cafeteria is Carnegie Hall.
The Defense
The accused musicians’ lawyers are playing their own tune, calling it a “baseless smear campaign” and “public character assassination.” Wang’s lawyer says the serious stuff involves a consensual relationship from way back when, while Muckey’s team points to text messages they say tell a different story.
The Union’s Report
But the union’s report hits hard: eleven witnesses spoke up about Wang’s alleged behaviour, describing everything from inappropriate touching to sexual assault. For Muckey, there’s testimony about an incident with an 18-year-old who was allegedly too drunk to consent.
The Final Note
The final curtain comes down in September 2025 (orchestras plan way in advance), but both players are already banned from the building. As Borda put it, “They will never appear on the stage again with the philharmonic.”
It’s a dramatic end for two musicians who’ve been with the Phil since 2006.
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