Out of tune: Czech Philharmonic. (dispute between the general director and the chief conductor of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra)(Arts, Books and Sport)

Economist (US), The, February, 1995

FROM Janacek's folkloric operas to Smetana's "Ma vlast", Czech music is steeped in the Czech sense of national identity and belonging. Thus there is a special bond between the nation and its leading orchestra--a bond that is now being strained to breaking point.

Tension over money and repertoire between Gerd Albrecht, the chief conductor of the 99-year-old Czech Philharmonic, and the orchestra's general director, Ladislav Kantor, has erupted into a public slanging match. The row is so bitter that the Ministry of Culture has decided to appoint a go-between in order, says one official, to "stop these two bastards fighting each other". The musicians, split between the two, are threatening to strike. As a result, the orchestra has fluffed its chance to perform at this...