In Sunday’s (12/2) Democrat and Chronicle, Catherine Roberts writs, “The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra sent out a statement Saturday to patrons and donors explaining the process that led to the decision to terminate conductor Arild Remmereit’s contract at the end of the season. The letter from board chairwoman Elizabeth F. Rice also said the music director’s departure would not ‘signal a loss of focus on innovative programming.’ The termination of the contract is not completed. Remmereit’s attorney, Glenn E. Pezzulo, said Friday that a meeting has been set for this coming week and suggested Remmereit would still like to work out a deal and even possibly stay. … The statement outlined findings in a report to the board by labor relations firm Craviso & Associates that found friction between Remmereit and CEO Charles Owens as well as staff. … The tensions created by Owens and Remmereit polarized staff and the board. The RPO in the statement said the board made the decision after consulting with musicians (a survey done this fall by Rice found a majority had negative opinions), the orchestra’s other conductors and the effect on year-end donations, among other factors.”
Posted December 3, 2012
