A Vote Of Confidence At Chicago

Just a blurb today, I saw the article in today’s Chicago Sun-Times about the musicians of the Chicago Symphony initiating a vote of confidence on a resolution voicing support for Music Director Daniel Barenboim.  I’m thrilled to see the players taking matters into their own hands.  It shows what a majority of them feel is most important to their organization and it lets management and the orchestra’s executive board know that they agree or disagree with their decision regarding Daniel Barenboim.  According to the article, the resolution would ask the CSO board “to do what they can” to bring contract negotiations with Barenboim for services beyond 2006 “to a satisfactory conclusion,” according to a committee member.

If the resolution passes by a significant majority it will be interesting to see how much weight the board and management place on the musicians desire to see Barenboim remain.  With no legal status the resolution is nothing more than a “request”, but if the board and management turn down the request then you can expect to see a great deal posturing and growing animosity between the players and the orchestra’s leaders.  Perhaps the players will insist that future resolutions will legally require the board and management to act in accordance with the player’s wishes.  Sounds like a familiar idea to me ..