The New York Philharmonic has announced that neither Liang Wang nor Matthew Muckey will be participating in the orchestra “for the time being” as an investigation into the culture of the Philharmonic is launched. The decision comes following a sexual-assault scandal involving the two musicians, with allegations dating back to 2010. Wang, the principal oboist, and Muckey, the associate principal trumpet, were previously fired in 2018 but reinstated in 2020 after filing a grievance with the players’ union. The current president of the union, Sara Cutler, expressed support for further action to address the toxic culture at the Philharmonic.
The allegations, as reported by New York, involve former horn player Cara Kizer, who claims she was drugged and sexually assaulted by Muckey in 2010. Despite the attempted firings in 2018, both Wang and Muckey’s lawyers believe they will return to the Philharmonic, citing the binding arbitration process that led to their reinstatement. The current president of the Philharmonic acknowledged the complexities of the situation but did not disclose whether he would once again try to remove Wang and Muckey.
The Philharmonic is committed to increasing transparency, oversight, and equity in its audition and tenure-review processes. The investigation aims to address the pervasive culture of complicity within the orchestra and ensure a safe and respectful environment for all musicians, staff, and the public. The recommendations resulting from the investigation will be shared with the board, staff, musicians, and the general public.
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