With financial strife affecting orchestras nationwide, it would seem that internal squabbles would be the last detail in an otherwise larger issue. But for the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, principal oboist Pierre Roy lost his job because his co-workers found his work ethic on the brink of insufferable.
It's not an uncommon problem in the workplace, but a dispute that led to a premiere player's departure--with 17-years tenure--seems a bit unsavory. While many musicians in the pit support Roy, there were many who felt "belittled" and "mocked" by his performance etiquette.
But as Buffalo News writes, Roy won't go gently into that good night. Instead, he filed a petition in March in the State Supreme Court hoping to annul his firing. As one could imagine, he seeks to be reinstated.
The articles continues, "In one incident, from 2011, Roy claimed another musician struck him while walking backstage, leading to a verbal exchange on stage during the intermission at a holiday concert.
A flutist and other musicians complained about feeling uncomfortable while playing near Roy. After one complaint, the orchestra put up a Plexiglas shield between Roy and principal flutist Christine Davis."
Having been written up as "truly magnificent" and "immaculate" in a 1997 review, the damage seems to take a different hue.
But as JoAnn Falletta wrote in a letter to the principal musician, "[His] lack of musicality is shocking and destructive to our orchestra."
Harsh, indeed.
You be the judge, and take a listen below with Roy in seat.
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