November 12, 2024

🎶 Opera's Asbestos Aria: The Metropolitan Opera's chorus found themselves in an unexpected intermission when rehearsals were halted due to asbestos concerns. Here's hoping their next performance isn't a 'dusty' affair.

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The big idea: The New York Phil just fired two of its stars, and it's even messier than you think
Talking points:
— Gustavo Dudamel met with protests in Los Angeles over Maduro
— 67th Grammy Award nominations highlight female composers
Around the web + Laugh of the week

CLASSICAL CHARTZ

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THE BIG IDEA

The New York Phil Just Fired Two of Its Stars, and It's Even Messier Than You Think

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 behavior, 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. — MV

TOUR DE HEADLINES

🧬 Beethoven's DNA spills the tea 200 years later: Scientists snipped into Beethoven's hair (yes, that's a thing) and uncovered some genetic skeletons. Turns out the maestro had a predisposition to liver disease, possibly explaining his untimely death. But wait, there's more—a surprise revelation of an extramarital affair in his family tree. Even centuries later, Beethoven knows how to keep us on our toes. Read more

🤖 When robots join the orchestra: A cello-playing robot just made its grand debut with a symphony orchestra, turning heads and tuning pegs. Designed to mimic human musicianship, this mechanical maestro is blurring the lines between technology and art. Is this the future of classical music or just a high-tech gimmick? Either way, it's hitting all the right notes. Read more

🎧 Need to de-stress? BBC Radio 3 prescribes 'Unwind': For those days when life's a bit too much, BBC Radio 3's new program 'Unwind' offers the perfect chill pill. Featuring serene classical pieces and soothing commentary, it's like yoga for your ears. Time to grab a cup of tea and let the stress melt away. Read more

MORE CLASSICAL NEWS TO KNOW

💰 The Glasshouse scores a $2 million encore from the Foyle Foundation, boosting its efforts to support budding musicians and performers. Read more
🚨 Musical mystery: A rare circa 1760 Charles Samuel Thompson violin has been stolen in London, leaving the classical community on high alert. Read more
🎻 Violinist Kristin Lee shares how her instrument gave her an identity beyond her skin colour, inspiring others with her story of resilience and passion. Read more

CLASSICAL HAPPENINGS

Gustavo Dudamel (Photo: courtesy of the artist)

Gustavo Dudamel Met With Protests in Los Angeles Over Maduro

Last week, the Human Rights Federation protested the music director-designate of the New York Philharmonic Gustavo Dudamel. The conductor has been called a “puppet and henchman” for Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro.

Driving the news: Last week, the Human Rights Federation (HRF) held protests against Gustavo Dudamel outside the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. The Venezuelan Conductor-designate of the New York Philharmonic Gustavo Dudamel was conducting the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Dudamel has been criticized for his silence over the human rights violations of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro, from whom Dudamel receives millions of dollars in off the books payments. Dudamel leads El Sistema, a Venezuelan state-run music education program that also serves as a propaganda tool for the Venezuelan government.

Digging deeper: Nicolás Maduro has served as president of Venezuela since 2013. As president, he has been accused of corruption, violent repression of civil society, economic collapse, mass exodus, and for recently stealing an election from Edmundo Gonzalez. Maduro is currently being investigated by the International Criminal Court.

In a letter to LA Philharmonic concertgoers, the HRF wrote that while Dudamel occasionally criticizes Maduro in public, he serves as an unofficial ambassador for the regime in private. Dudamel has stayed silent over the recent election results, in which Venezuelans voted overwhelmingly for Gonzalez, and refuses to condemn the Maduro regime’s human rights violations. — SS

Kaija Saariaho Working in her studio, rue d'Amsterdam, Paris, 2019 (Photo: Maarit Kutoharjo)

67th Grammy Award Nominations Highlight Female Composers

On November 8th, the 67th Grammy Award nominations were announced. While Beyoncé made headlines in the pop realm, the classical realm was notably full of female composers.

What’s up: On November 8th, the 2025 Grammy Nominees were announced. While Beyoncé became the most-ever nominated artist, garnering 11 nominations for her album Cowboy Carter to add to a total of 99 career nominations. Meanwhile, in the classical realm, 4 out of 5 nominees for best contemporary composition were women. They include Andrea Casarrubios for her album “Seven for Solo Cello,” Valerie Coleman for “Revelry,” David Lang for “Composition as Explanation,” Gabriela Ortiz for “Revoluciòn Diamantina,” and Kaija Saariaho for “Adriana Mater.”

Tell me more: Other news in the classical realm included Metropolitan Opera maestro Yannick Nézet-Séguin racking up 3 nominations for leading Maestro Soundtrack and the Met’s recordings of The Hours and Florencía en el Amazonas. The trendy Icelandic pianist Vikingur Òlafsson was nominated for Bach’s Goldberg Variations and in the vocal category, performances of works by Jennifer Jolley, Carrie Magin, Jonathan Newman, Florence Price, Benedict Sheehan, and Richard Wagner were recognized.

After a disheartening geopolitical week for many fans of art and culture, it’s nice to witness diversity and innovation being recognized in the music world. Good luck in L.A., folx. ✈️🏝️ — SS

GAMES

Nothing says a new week like a mini-crossword .

AROUND THE WEB

🎶 Listen Up: Explore The Beethoven Museum in Bonn, Germany, and walk through the composer’s life and legacy.

🧳 That’s fascinating: You can now sleep in a decommissioned Boeing 747 at Stockholm's Arlanda Airport.

🌋 Wow: Hawaii's Kilauea volcano is erupting again, offering a rare spectacle of nature’s power.

📚 Dive In: The Open Syllabus Project lets you browse millions of course readings worldwide.

🐨 Awww: Observe koalas up close 24/7 through Zoolife's live stream.

LAUGH OF THE WEEK

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