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More Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra performances canceled amid musicians' strike

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Symphony Inc. management has decided to cancel more concerts in the midst of the musicians’ strike, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra announced Monday.

RELATED: Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra musicians go on strike

The committee said PSI has canceled performances through Nov. 18.

The canceled concerts include:

  • PNC Pops: The Midtown Men on Oct. 28 to 30
  • BNY Mellon Grand Classics: Music of "Porgy & Bess" on Nov. 4 to 6
  • BNY Mellon Grand Classics: Fountains of Rome on Nov. 11 to 13
  • Fiddlesticks Family Concerts: Around the House on Nov. 12
  • Fourth-Grade Schooltime Concerts on Nov. 16 to 18
  • Light Up Night community concert on Nov. 18

The performances of BNY Mellon Grand Classics: Haydn’s Creation, originally scheduled for Dec. 2 and 4, will be presented at a later date due to the special production considerations for the semi-staged concerts. An alternate program will be presented that weekend. No other Pittsburgh Symphony concerts are affected at this time, PSI said.

Micah Howard, PSO bassist and chair of the musicians' orchestra committee, released the following statement:

“This is a decision made by management, and management alone. We are ready to negotiate an end to this dispute so the musicians can be back on stage at Heinz Hall.  But management has repeatedly declared that they are unwilling to compromise - that they won't even meet with us unless we accept the 'last, best and final' contract demands they made a month ago.
 
"Management's claim that they are canceling concerts 'because of the musicians' strike' is totally false. In fact, these concerts have been canceled because of management's refusal to negotiate. That's the real reason."

Christian Schörnich, senior vice president and chief operating officer of the Pittsburgh Symphony, released his own statement late Monday, regarding the negotiation process:

“Regrettably, the musicians of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra have not contacted us through official channels to return to the negotiating table. We hope that we are able to resume talks soon. Because of this, we must cancel additional performances in consideration of our subscribers and ticket buyers to allow them to adjust plans and consider options.
 
“We appreciate the continuing patience and understanding shown by our patrons during this time as we work to secure the artistic and financial future of the Pittsburgh Symphony.”

PSI said that in the event of an end to the strike, canceled concerts may be reinstated. Any additional changes to the concert schedule will be communicated via email, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra website and the Pittsburgh Symphony and Heinz Hall Facebook pages.

Ticket holders will be notified as soon as possible about options for handling unused tickets, including exchanging their tickets for Heinz Hall performances later in the 2016-2017 season, donating their tickets to the Pittsburgh Symphony or receiving a refund, PSI said.

Cox Media Group

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