Wednesday (1/23) on the New York Observer online, Kara Bloomgarden-Smoke writes, “Classical musical critic for The New York Times James Oestreich has accepted the paper’s buyout and will retire at the end of the month from the New York Times. The departure, which was reported by Slipped Disc, a music blog, comes just one day before the buyout deadline. Mr. Oestreich, who turns 70 this year, will leave at the end of the month but will continue to advise the Times on classical music coverage through the spring and write for the paper on a freelance basis. ‘As many of you have heard me say (perhaps ad nauseam), this has been a dream job,’ Mr. Oestreich wrote in an email announcement obtained by Slipped Disc. … … By our count, this brings the total number of eligible Times staff taking advantage of the buyout offer to six. According to executive editor Jill Abramson’s December announcement, the total number needs to get to 30 to avoid layoffs.”
Posted January 24, 2013
