F-X Roth in Trouble

[Ein Heldenleben]

Oh dear very unpleasant behaviour alleged and apparently with corroborating records and photos according to the Violin Channel report . I imagine record companies are now likely, considering his ubiquity, to have lots of recordings in the can they are going to struggle to sell even if they release them at all.

The whole thing was written in rather tortuous French probably paraphrasing a press statement that’s been heavily lawyered . I seem to remember French libel laws are stricter than ours. Hence my recourse to google

[oliver sudden]

If anyone would prefer German…

https://www.br-klassik.de/aktuell/news-kritik/swr-symphonieorchester-dirigent-francois-xavier-roth-100.html

https://www.br-klassik.de/aktuell/news-kritik/swr-reaktion-untersuchung-francois-xavier-roth-dirigent-metoo-vorwuerfe-102.html

(…pretty much the same as the Diapason articles!)

[french frank]

they explained that they accept the future collaboration with François-Xavier Roth, but did not support it. "We believe that this decision harms the image, credibility and sovereignty of the orchestra

Nothing is perfect, and I suppose this is a compromise which represents a civilised way forward. Even the far right rioter who got the longest jail sentence said he accepted that his behaviour was 'appalling'. Whether you're among the righteous or the unrighteous on any given issue, compromise is always an option to accept or reject. "Having full regard to what has occurred ...:

[oddoneout]

As far as I can tell from the earlier Diapason article, they’re talking about administrative measures such as setting up communication structures, including designated colleagues in the orchestra and the administration to report to, by which any whiff of impropriety can be reported, presumably anonymised, potentially causing an immediate end to his contract under the terms of a new code of conduct.

And I do indeed imagine that any requests for private contact details from FXR to the administration would set all sorts of alarm bells ringing!

All well and good if that were the only way of obtaining such details, but it isn't and people are remarkably careless with their personal information and, even worse, sometimes that of other people. And that's leaving out the direct approach arising from everyday social interactions, which may or may not be above board.
Having safeguarding/whistle blowing measures in place is only as good as their implementation - which doesn't always go as intended and can leave the target of wrondoing in a worse position than before.
I thought I read somewhere that there have been reports of concerns about him over the years - I wonder if those have been addressed, either to dismiss them or take into account when making current decisions?

[Barbirollians]

I cannot see how a relationship with an orchestra where 48 of its membership say they really don't want him is likely to be sustainable.

[oddoneout]

I cannot see how a relationship with an orchestra where 48 of its membership say they really don't want him is likely to be sustainable.

It won't be the only ensemble where not all the members are happy with the choice of the person on the podium - that's partly just human nature. In terms of sustainability that comes down to how the matter affects audiences and recording sales; if the "customers" are satisfied with the arrangement(either because they accept the measures put in place to prevent further problems, or because they don't consider it to be relevant to the music they want to hear or perhaps not sufficiently egregious to warrant a boycott) then it's business as usual.
In terms of the orchestra members' objection, the letter seems to focus on reputational and other impacts rather than the problems of working with someone whose behaviour they find unacceptable.

"We believe that this decision harms the image, credibility and sovereignty of the orchestra,"

It may be that within that is code for "we can't work with someone who does such things", but at face value that isn't the prime concern?
It isn't necessarily impossible to work with someone whose personal behaviour or character one finds unacceptable, but it doesn't always make for the best outcome. Time will tell whether the publicly aired problems with Roth affect audience support and orchestra functioning to a degree that demands a rethink of his appointment.

[richardfinegold]

I thought I read somewhere that there have been reports of concerns about him over the years - I wonder if those have been addressed, either to dismiss them or take into account when making current decisions?

Indeed these issues apparently go back 20 years. I wonder how he escaped the last era of “Me too”. In fact he prospered during that time, since it’s in the last decade that his star has risen, with every release being hailed by Gramophone as the Second Coming ( American critics were more reserved).

[Petrushka]

Indeed these issues apparently go back 20 years. I wonder how he escaped the last era of “Me too”. In fact he prospered during that time, since it’s in the last decade that his star has risen, with every release being hailed by Gramophone as the Second Coming ( American critics were more reserved).

I bought his Petrushka/Rite of Spring disc when it first came out. The former was OK but I found the latter unimpressive and couldn't understand the hype it generated. I've since avoided any of his discs.

[richardfinegold]

I bought his Petrushka/Rite of Spring disc when it first came out. The former was OK but I found the latter unimpressive and couldn't understand the hype it generated. I've since avoided any of his discs.

Same, although I’ve streamed his discs so haven’t shelled out any cash.

[Retune]

I have noticed that male conductors tend to attract sexual desire in women (the figure of a commanding male standing up... need one say more?), and presumably there's the temptation to exploit this.

Perhaps this is what abusive conductors tell themselves, but I'm sure it looks nothing like that to those on the receiving end of their behaviour. There's no indication that the alleged recipients of Roth's unsolicited messages welcomed them in any way. Disgust would be the normal human reaction.

I cannot see how a relationship with an orchestra where 48 of its membership say they really don't want him is likely to be sustainable.

And that's just the ones who are prepared to put it in writing. I wonder how many others might be less than delighted?

It won't be the only ensemble where not all the members are happy with the choice of the person on the podium - that's partly just human nature.

Maybe so, but in most cases that won't be about extreme behaviour like that alleged here. Disliking colleagues for one reason or another is common enough in the workplace, but how many professional environments would tolerate anything like this?

I bought his Petrushka/Rite of Spring disc when it first came out. The former was OK but I found the latter unimpressive and couldn't understand the hype it generated. I've since avoided any of his discs.

When BaL did the Firebird recently and picked Dutoit just ahead of Roth, I thought the latter (also on the Ballets Russes album) stood up very well in comparison, and (not having heard the allegations about Roth) naively imagined that it was at least 'untainted' by the alleged behaviour of the conductor...

[Dave2002]

Seems a great choice then ... Dutoit or Roth ....:sigh:

[Petrushka]

Seems a great choice then ... Dutoit or Roth ....:sigh:

If you haven't already got it, I'd strongly recommend LSO/Dorati for a complete Firebird. Don't be put off by it being recorded in 1960; it's a Mercury Living Presence issue and sounds terrific.

[Darkbloom]

Mercury Living Presence was so consistent when it came to the discs they put out. Even if the repertoire didn't happen to be all that appealing to me I'd still want to listen because it was almost certain to be very good. It was also a great showcase for the less-celebrated orchestras like Detroit.

[oliver sudden]

If you haven't already got it, I'd strongly recommend LSO/Dorati for a complete Firebird. Don't be put off by it being recorded in 1960; it's a Mercury Living Presence issue and sounds terrific.

Frankly it knocks Dutoit and Roth into a, er, cocked hat.

[Dave2002]

Re my msg 41 and msg 42 which quoted it I was not referring to recordings. I used to think Dutoit was a good conductor and indeed did hear him live once not too long ago, and enjoyed the concert.

It was after that the rather seedy allegations and details came out. Given his age I doubt that those will make much difference now though he probably doesn't conduct live concerts or make recordings any more.