Violinist Sarah Chang lands in Southern California following Detroit drama
It's sometimes easy to forget that the classical music world is dominated by labor unions that exert powerful control over much of the art form. Violinist Sarah Chang received a scary reminder of that fact over the weekend in Detroit.
Chang, 29, is scheduled to perform this week at the Irvine Barclay Theatre in Orange County and at the Fox Performing Arts Center in Riverside.
On Monday, the violinist was supposed to perform a special recital as part of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra's current season. Musicians from the orchestra are currently on strike against a new contract that would see drastic pay cuts.
Reports say that over the weekend, Chang received a barrage of hostile messages via cellphone, e-mail and social media criticizing her decision to perform while the musicians were on strike. Some of the messages were harassing in nature, calling her a scab and other derogatory names. The Detroit News reported that the most violent message suggested that the violinist should hang herself.
Chang eventually withdrew from the Detroit recital. The orchestra issued a statement saying the violinist was a victim of harassment while the orchestra's union called her decision to withdraw "courageous."
Chang did not immediately respond to a request for interview on Tuesday. The violinist is scheduled to perform a program of Brahms and Franck on Wednesday at the Irvine Barclay. On Thursday, she will appear at the Fox Performing Arts Center in a similar recital.
-- David Ng
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Photo: Sarah Chang performs for conductor Jirí Belohlávek and the L.A. Philharmonic in 2006. Credit: Los Angeles Times
Remember that the messages from the DSO musicians, the AFM (Union) and ICSOM were NOT threats but were simply requests for Sarah's support. Please do not use this blog as an outlet for "wingnut" attacks on unions or on Detroit.
Posted by: wj | October 13, 2010 at 09:19 AM
If any reader is interested in learning exactly WHY the DSO is on strike (hint: it's NOT because they are greedy musicians, rather because they have incompetant management) I challenge you to read ALL the issues at www.detroitsymphonymusicians.org.
As for the threats made to Ms. Chang-I should think it would be obvious that the musicians had nothing to do with it. Remember, they WERE going to share the stage with her that weekend, until she agreed to REPLACE them, and they will all share the stage with her again in the future I'm sure.
Posted by: sbocajfa | October 13, 2010 at 10:53 AM
The recital Ms. Chang was to perform last Monday was not on the planned schedule for the year. Rather, it was attempted as a last-minute tactic by the management of the Detroit Symphony to try and put on a show in the midst of a strike by the musicians of the Detroit Symphony. Entreaties (not threats, as an examination of the record will prove), led Ms. Chang toward a noble and brave cancellation of the recital, and she was universally applauded and deeply thanked.
Sensationalistic and unresearched news reporting can truly be a pain to overcome by the good and decent. Shame on the Los Angeles Times.
Posted by: Simple Human | October 13, 2010 at 02:53 PM
Sarah Chang is willing to sell out the future professions of musicians for her own personal gain. She is pathetic.
p.s. Joe Silverstein is supporting the musicians, a world class musician and conductor; Chang is ethically but a dim candle to the likes of him or the world class musicians of the DSO
And if you are not a musician, you are clueless about the level of technique and commitment it takes to get into an orchestra like the DSO.
Posted by: purple | October 15, 2010 at 03:16 PM
Does anyone remember? This is what we do here week in and week out, for our beloved Detroit community...
... the cheers and bravos exploded like firecrackers ... The quality of the music-making and the audience's ecstatic response filled dozens of Michigan snowbirds, DSO donors and board members with the kind of hometown pride that denizens of other cities take for granted.
Mark Stryker, Detroit Free Press, February 16, 2010
http://www.palmbeachdailynews.com/arts/content/arts/2010/02/11/bezerra_review_detroit0212.html
http://southfloridaclassicalreview.com/2010/02/slatkin-detroit-symphony-deliver-a-sumptuous-performance-at-kravis-center/
Posted by: Kim Kennedy | October 16, 2010 at 08:42 AM