Music Plays Despite Los Angeles Philharmonic’s Cancelled Season

Music will not pause for the Los Angeles Philharmonic (LA Phil), which recently cancelled all remaining performances of its 2019-20 season. Instead, the concert community is banding together online where LA Phil at Home offers listeners a robust collection of behind-the-scenes videos, curated music playlists, podcasts, interviews, articles, recordings and radio broadcasts.

“The measures we are taking are painful, but we must act today to safeguard the LA Phil for tomorrow,” says LA Phil Chief Executive Officer Chad Smith in a statement. “We cannot predict how long this pandemic will last or what its impact might be on our Hollywood Bowl and Ford seasons, and so we are addressing the challenge now based on the information we have, in a way that we know is difficult but believe is responsible.”

First the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association paused all of its regular performances at Walt Disney Concert Hall through May 10, and now the pause extends to include all shows through June 6. The summer season, which takes place from July through September at Hollywood Bowl, may also be cancelled depending on how the impact of the pandemic unfolds.  

“Through the resilience and inspiration of Gustavo (LA Phil Music and Artistic Director Gustavo Dudamel), the artistry of our Orchestra, the strength of our staff, and the loyalty of the community that has made us a part of the fabric of Los Angeles, we will come through this,” says Smith, expressing gratitude to musicians, staff and members of the Board. “When we do, I know we will all appreciate, that much more, our coming together to share the music we love so much.”

In the meantime, professional musicians are recording and sharing private concerts on LA Phil at Home. The effort’s first installment features the orchestra’s principal concertmaster Martin Chalifour performing a violin solo with music by Prokofiev, Bach, and Telemann from his living room. Orchestra staff will also continue supporting the YOLA (Youth Orchestra Los Angeles), which is offering remote instruction to more than 1,200 students from almost 100 music programs across the country.

Ticketholders have the option to donate cancelled tickets for a tax deduction at total ticket value, which will directly support orchestra musicians, teachers, students and staff. Tickets can also be fully refunded or exchanged, with exchange fees waived, for any 2020-21 season performance or LA Phil-presented concert in the Hollywood Bowl 2020 season. 

According to LA Phil, Dudamel will forgo all compensation during concert cancellations. Musician as well as all full-time and regular part-time staff wages and benefits remined intact since the initial March 12 closure of Walt Disney Concert Hall. However, beginning April 13, all non-essential expenses will be cut and salary deductions and layoffs will be made across the organization to help preserve the orchestra during economic declines caused by the pandemic. 

Staff reductions will total 35% overall, specifically in the form of regular part-time staff layoffs and wage reductions including leadership team pay cuts of more than 35%. A renegotiated interim contract in effect on April 20 will reduce all orchestra member compensation to 65% of their regular weekly minimum scale. Health care benefits for all full-time orchestra members and administrative staff will remain active. 

LA Phil Board Chair Thomas L. Beckmen announced in a statement that the Board of Directors remains committed to ensuring the long-term strength of the orchestra. He expressed the Board’s determination to support the Association for the sake of musicians, staff, students and teachers as well as audiences and communities served. 

“We have immense faith in the LA Phil leadership’s ability to guide the organization through these uncertain times,” Beckmen says. “When we emerge from them, we will be ready to come together again in the communal experience that means so much to us all.”