Free Republic

hh, what a soft and easy life the striking Chicago Symphony Orchestra musicians lead! They show up for a concert, play for a couple of hours, then go home and relax until the next one. For these few hours of work they’re paid handsomely – and just for doing something they love! What’s wrong with these “prima donnas”? I put that term in quotes because it’s drawn from one of many messages I’ve received – via email and in person – articulating the underinformed sentiments referenced above. Ever since the CSO musicians went on strike on March 10, some people...

I first played under the baton of Pierre Boulez more than a quarter of a century ago, shortly after I joined the Chicago Symphony. I always admired him as a human being. He was kind, brilliant, generous, and by all accounts a great and loyal friend. On more than one occasion he rescued the Chicago Symphony on short notice after other conductors had to cancel on us. Indeed, he and Bernard Haitink stepped in to steer the orchestra’s artistic fortunes following Daniel Barenboim’s abrupt departure in 2006. All of us in the orchestra are very much in his debt. But...

Chicago Symphony Orchestra Music Director Riccardo Muti knew something strange was happening in the audience, but he didn’t immediately think “fist fight.” It was a fight in Orchestra Hall, however, with a man in his 30s slugging a 67-year-old man during a quarrel over seats Thursday night. It played out during the second movement of the Brahms Symphony No. 2.