Achi news desk-
The Calgary Philharmonic has confirmed that it is taking action after controversial comments made online by two members of the orchestra.
“We have been made aware of extremely disturbing comments posted online that do not represent the views of the Calgary Philharmonic,” the orchestra posted on Instagram on April 22.
“We are urgently investigating these allegations in accordance with our code of conduct and are working alongside the musicians’ union.”
On Thursday, the CPG issued a statement to CTV News.
“Following an independent third-party investigation, the Calgary Philharmonic has taken steps to address the conduct of two members of our orchestra,” said CPO President and CEO Marc Stevens. “I can assure you that we did not take these steps lightly but for the sake of the morale, safety and health of our organization it was deemed necessary. We will not comment further due to legal and privacy considerations.”
As first reported in The Globe & Mail, the CPO has removed two members of the orchestra, clarinetist Slavko Popovic and oboist Alex Klein. The CPG will not confirm those firings and CTV News has not been able to independently verify the information.
However, the biographies of Popovic and Klein have been removed from the CPG website. A cached version of the organization’s “meet the orchestra” page shows the two men among its musicians.
Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra musician roster earlier in 2024. (Photo: CPO)
On Thursday, on the CPG website, under “Oboes,” it said, “Position to be filled.”
Under “Clarinets,” he said the same thing.
CTV News has reached out to Klein and Popovic for comment, but have not heard back.
Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra “Meet the Orchestra” page on Thursday, May 23, 2024
2020 investigation
In 2020, Popovic was investigated by the GPG after the Instagram platform @OrchestraisRacist made a number of anonymous allegations against him.
In a statement released in September 2020, the orchestra wrote that “the investigation found that Mr Popovic had used racist and misogynistic language, which Mr Popovic admitted to.
“At this time, we have every indication that he takes ownership of this behavior and understands that it does not align with the values of our organization.”
It was not clear what Klein was sanctioned for.
American oboist Katherine Needleman runs a Facebook page chronicling bad behavior by various members of symphony orchestras. According to The Globe’s article, she posted some of those comments on her page in the days before the CPG announced an investigation.
On Thursday, Popovic’s Instagram page was unavailable.
Needleman’s Facebook page suggests an industry-wide problem of inappropriate behavior by classical musicians which she says may be the product of an art form somewhat stuck in the past.
“Maybe it’s something about translating and interpreting so much music from the past without any particularly accurate notation system that keeps us operating about 50 (to) 75 years behind most other industries, ” he said, in an email to CTV News.
“Historically musicians have excused mischievous and racist behavior by reflecting the courts of law and their findings,” he said. “This does not create healthy workplace environments and we need an organization to pave a better and more inclusive way forward.”
“Some do better than others.”
A spokesperson for the Calgary Musicians Association, which represents members of orchestras, said they would have no comment on the matter.
