The Seattle Symphony describes the NYT expose as 'old news'

Arts circles are abuzz over a long, prominently played New York Times investigation of the Seattle Symphony, which was published Sunday and reprinted Monday in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

The article focused on the long-simmering and rancorous feud between Music Director Gerard Schwarz and many orchestra musicians. It's a story that is both well known among the musical community and soft pedalled by the Symphony and the local media. At the heart of it is a debate over whether it's time for a new conductor, and whether a messy departure of Schwarz, who became music director in 1985, would so anger many major financial backers as to jeopardize the symphony.

So far, the symphony is not commenting on the story, saying there are "no new revelations" and that it's "old news about discord backstage." In fact, there were some new revelations, including the names of musicians who have filed affidavits in support of a violinist bringing charges of abusive behavior against the symphony and Schwarz; the actual vote count of a musicians' survey that was 61-8 in favor of new artistic leadership; unusual criticism from headhunter Pamela Rolfe, who led an unsuccessful search for a new executive director; and more details from musicians who claim to have been punished by Schwarz for speaking out.

The overall effect of the article was highly critical, saying the symphony has been "lurching from crisis to crisis." It certainly won't help in local fundraising, nor in landing a new position for Schwarz. Not surprisingly, the symphony is hoping the bad publicity will pass. The only comment so far is in the form of an e-mail sent by Executive Director Thomas Phillion to "Seattle Symphony Family" two days before the Times article appeared. Crosscut obtained a copy of the communication and has asked the symphony to elaborate on the inaccuracies it says were in the story. Here's the letter:

Dear Seattle Symphony Family,

This weekend, the New York Times will publish an article about the Seattle Symphony, which will appear in Sunday’s Arts & Leisure section.

Because of your important involvement with the Symphony, I wanted to let you know that I have seen an advance copy of the article, and felt it was critical to reach you with a heads up about the story, some of my concerns, and what we are doing about it.

While there are some positive aspects to the story, much of it concerns old news about discord backstage, including incidents that we have worked so hard to put behind us over the past year-and-a-half. The referenced litigation has been ongoing for nearly two years, and just recently the court dismissed the principal charges. There are no new revelations contained in the story, and in fact, there are a number of inaccuracies.

But because the New York Times is a paper of national record, my great concern focuses on the potential broad implications such an article may have on our orchestra’s national reputation. This is something we all need to reflect on.

As the Executive Director, I am committed to redoubling the attention placed on bolstering the reputation of this organization and build on the successes of the past year ... the record box office, the first balanced budget in several years, extraordinary fundraising initiatives and success, wonderful collaborations, an Emmy, great musical leadership, and most importantly ... great performances from the stage at Benaroya Hall. We will continue to focus on the good news, and work to communicate with all our constituents.

We have so much good news to share, not the least of which is that the public has responded with what is shaping up to be our biggest December ever. The public will be there because the programming is superb. What better vote of confidence is there?

Please know that I am available to you if you have any questions. I invite your support. If you should receive an inquiry from anyone in the press about this, please direct them to contact Rosalie Contreras at the SSO (206-215-4782). Thank you again for all you do for this institution.

Tom Philion