“The Van Cliburn International Piano Competition is staying in Fort Worth, even if the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra musicians are still on strike when the competition begins next May,” writes Andrea Ahles in Monday’s (11/7) Star-Telegram (Fort Worth). “The Cliburn, which puts on the quadrennial event, emphatically declared that Fort Worth is the competition’s home Monday after rumors were spread on social media that the event might move if the symphony musicians are still on strike. ‘Cliburn is Fort Worth and Fort Worth is the Cliburn,’ said Jacques Marquis, president and CEO of The Cliburn. ‘There is no way we would move the competition from here.’ … FWSO musicians went on strike Sept. 8, and management has canceled concerts through the end of the year.… The 15th edition of the Cliburn competition is scheduled to take place from May 25 to June 10 at Bass Hall.… The Fort Worth Symphony is scheduled to play a Mozart concerto with 12 semifinalists and conductor Nicholas McGegan. The orchestra will also play a concerto with six finalists, under the direction of Leonard Slatkin. Marquis said he hopes symphony management and the union musicians will reach a new contract agreement before the competition.”
Posted November 8, 2016
