New York Philharmonic musicians at Geffen Hall in New York City
“The New York Philharmonic canceled the remainder of its season on Monday, bowing to the reality that the coronavirus pandemic will silence large-scale performances … for months to come,” writes Zachary Woolfe in Monday’s (3/23) New York Times. “The orchestra said that it was anticipating a loss of roughly $10 million in revenue because of the decision…. In canceling the season, which … included a European tour in May, the Philharmonic said that its musicians’ health benefits would be maintained through the end of their current contract, in September. But pay will be reduced in stages.… President and CEO Deborah Borda said the orchestra would be working this week on a plan to further reduce operating costs…. The musicians gave broad permission for the dissemination of archival recordings … through a new portal, NY Phil Plays On (nyphil.org/playson). And every Thursday evening, a past performance will be streamed on Facebook.” Said trombonist Colin Williams, chairman of the musicians’ negotiating committee, “We’re all coming together in this unprecedented situation…. We’re very grateful for the leadership of Deborah Borda and the board that they’re trying to take care of the musicians.” Said Borda, “We’re going to come through this. I don’t see a doom-and-gloom future.”
