Like many of their peers in the UK, musicians at the New York Philharmonic are struggling to negotiate new contract terms with management - a situation exacerbated by the lack of a permanent executive or artistic leader, writes Javier C. Hernández.
On a recent night at Lincoln Center, a group of New York Philharmonic musicians, dressed in matching black shirts and carrying union leaflets, fanned out and began to evangelize.
“Support the musicians!” Thomas Smith, a trumpet player, told a crowd of concertgoers.
It was one of the New York Philharmonic’s first concerts of the fall, and the musicians, in the middle of high-stake labor talks, were alerting their audience to what they hoped would be embraced as startling facts. The orchestra’s players have not had a raise since 2019, and they are paid substantially less than colleagues in Boston, Chicago and Los Angeles.
“We need your help,” Alina Kobialka, a violinist, said as she handed out leaflets.
The scene was a reminder of the stark challenges this season for the Philharmonic, which not so long ago seemed to be beginning a vibrant new chapter... Keep reading on The New York Times.
On a recent night at Lincoln Center, a group of New York Philharmonic musicians, dressed in matching black shirts and carrying union leaflets, fanned out and began to evangelize.
“Support the musicians!” Thomas Smith, a trumpet player, told a crowd of concertgoers.
It was one of the New York Philharmonic’s first concerts of the fall, and the musicians, in the middle of high-stake labor talks, were alerting their audience to what they hoped would be embraced as startling facts. The orchestra’s players have not had a raise since 2019, and they are paid substantially less than colleagues in Boston, Chicago and Los Angeles.
“We need your help,” Alina Kobialka, a violinist, said as she handed out leaflets.
The scene was a reminder of the stark challenges this season for the Philharmonic, which not so long ago seemed to be beginning a vibrant new chapter... Keep reading on The New York Times.