Daniele Gatti Sacked by the Concertgebouw

[Alison]

I was unexcited by this appointment from the beginning.

Pablo Heras Casado or Robin Ticciati my suggestions for the post.

[Conchis]

I'd agree that this was a musical relationship that wasn't working but the orchestra was obliged to work quickly and decisively after the allegations emerged.

How difficult is it to sack a music director these days? Mostly, these situations seem to be a two-way traffic, as with Franz Welser-Most's LPO tenure (talented conductor who just didn't hit it off with the orchestra). There should be a way of ending the relationship while saving the face of both parties.

[Stanfordian]

I was unexcited by this appointment from the beginning.

Pablo Heras Casado or Robin Ticciati my suggestions for the post.

The Concertgebouw under Gatti played the wonderfully together when I heard them in May. But if the allegations were true then he had to go!

[Dave2002]

I'd agree that this was a musical relationship that wasn't working but the orchestra was obliged to work quickly and decisively after the allegations emerged.

Re decisively and quickly - that only works if there is definitive evidence, or with agreement by some of the parties involved. I'm not suggesting there wasn't, but there have been cases where making assumptions about "guilt" have later been found to be incorrect.

[Conchis]

Re decisively and quickly - that only works if there is definitive evidence, or with agreement by some of the parties involved. I'm not suggesting there wasn't, but there have been cases where making assumptions about "guilt" have later been found to be incorrect.

The RPO did the same thing earlier this year with Charles Dutoit.

The Met finally ended its relationship with Levine long after the horse had bolted, so to speak, as those rumours had been doing the rounds for decades.

[Dave2002]

The RPO did the same thing earlier this year with Charles Dutoit.

The Met finally ended its relationship with Levine long after the horse had bolted, so to speak, as those rumours had been doing the rounds for decades.

In both those cases there would appear to have been considerable evidence, which probably should have been dealt with earlier. In other (non musical) fields I thought the general practice was to suspend, pending investigation, though that does still draw attention to the concerns, and will affect both the accused and those making the allegations. Is orchestra management different, or is it very difficult/impossible to carry out such procedures because of the very visibility of prominent musicians?

[Petrushka]

In both those cases there would appear to have been considerable evidence, which probably should have been dealt with earlier. In other (non musical) fields I thought the general practice was to suspend, pending investigation, though that does still draw attention to the concerns, and will affect both the accused and those making the allegations. Is orchestra management different, or is it very difficult/impossible to carry out such procedures because of the very visibility of prominent musicians?

In normal times the suspension/investigation route is the right one but these aren't normal times. We have a situation whereby anyone can go to the media, make accusations and be believed. Whether these stories are credible or not, my worry is that they are not being properly tested before an investigation for all the nuances and potential for misunderstandings there might be. The accused as well as the accusers should feel entitled to fair treatment.

Having said this, Gatti hasn't exactly denied any of it. In my own employment such goings on would constitute 'gross misconduct' and I'd be out on my ear but I've no idea what kind of contract a music director of a world class orchestra would be on or, in Gatti's case, how the matter is governed by Dutch law.

[LHC]

Re decisively and quickly - that only works if there is definitive evidence, or with agreement by some of the parties involved. I'm not suggesting there wasn't, but there have been cases where making assumptions about "guilt" have later been found to be incorrect.

The RCO statement makes no mention of guilt or even that there has been an investigation or any findings. Indeed, it states carefully that Gatti has left because of a breakdown in trust between him and the orchestra, rather than actual misconduct.

[Dave2002]

In normal times the suspension/investigation route is the right one but these aren't normal times. We have a situation whereby anyone can go to the media, make accusations and be believed. Whether these stories are credible or not, my worry is that they are not being properly tested before an investigation for all the nuances and potential for misunderstandings there might be. The accused as well as the accusers should feel entitled to fair treatment.

Having said this, Gatti hasn't exactly denied any of it. In my own employment such goings on would constitute 'gross misconduct' and I'd be out on my ear but I've no idea what kind of contract a music director of a world class orchestra would be on or, in Gatti's case, how the matter is governed by Dutch law.

According to these articles he has denied the allegations, and has instructed a lawyer.

https://www.dutchnews.nl/news/2018/08/sacked-concertgebouw-orchestra-conductor-denies-sexual-assault-claims/

https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8468429/conductor-daniele-gatti-fired-sexual-misconduct-netherlands-orchestra

[Sir Velo]

According to these articles he has denied the allegations, and has instructed a lawyer.

https://www.dutchnews.nl/news/2018/08/sacked-concertgebouw-orchestra-conductor-denies-sexual-assault-claims/

https://www.billboard.com/articles/n...ands-orchestra

Indeed, as I commented in my earlier post on this thread, this has been ineptly handled by the RCO. If the allegations were provable then Gatti would surely have resigned without having this dirty linen washed in public. If they're unfounded then it smacks of desperation on the part of the orchestra to rid itself of a conductor with whom it cannot work.

[Petrushka]

Indeed, as I commented in my earlier post on this thread, this has been ineptly handled by the RCO. If the allegations were provable then Gatti would surely have resigned without having this dirty linen washed in public. If they're unfounded then it smacks of desperation on the part of the orchestra to rid itself of a conductor with whom it cannot work.

According to Lebrecht (sorry!) Gatti's contract was up for renewal in 2018 and there are reports that it was renewed three weeks ago. If true, Sir Velo is correct and, it has indeed been ineptly handled by the RCO. It could also cost them a lot of money. Gatti should have been asked to go quietly but if he now takes legal action then he must weigh up whether or not he wants his dirty linen aired in public. What a mess!