We're being fiddled, say violinists

[emad]

AP, Berlin
Wednesday March 24, 2004
The Guardian

Violinists at a German orchestra are suing for a pay rise on the grounds that they play many more notes per concert than their musical colleagues - a litigation that the orchestra's director yesterday called "absurd". The 16 violinists at the Beethoven Orchestra, in the former West German capital Bonn argue that they work more than their colleagues who play instruments including the flute, oboe and trombone.

The violinists also say that a collective bargaining agreement that gives bonuses to performers who play solos is unjust. But the orchestra's director Laurentius Bonitz said it was unreasonable to compare playing a musical instrument with other jobs. "The suit is ridiculous," Bonitz said in a telephone interview. "It's absurd."

He also argued that soloists and musicians in other leading roles - such as the orchestra's two oboe players - should perhaps make more money. "Maybe it's an interesting legal question but musically, it's very clear to everyone," Bonitz said. The case is scheduled to go before a labour judge later this year.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/germany/article/0,2763,1176662,00.html

Time and Motion Study needed....

[Karenina]

1. Sitting in a violin section

surrounded by the buffer zone of a stand partner and a half dozen others
who can drown out your mishaps CANNOT be compared to what is required from ANYONE in the wind or brass section. There is a good reason we refer to the first chair players as "being on the HOT SEAT."

[emad]

2. Wind and brass= the easy option! Ask ANY cellist!

Who else has to keep their legs apart while straining at the knee muscles for up to 3 hours at a time? The only comparison is riding side saddle over fences and ditches in the muddy countryside....

[Karenina]

3. BUT I'm being SERIOUS HERE

The STRESS on anyone sitting first chair wind or brass in an orchestra is INCREDIBLE. You MUST be perfect. ALL THE TIME. And folks wonder why I FREAK when my kid leaves crumbs on the counter. ;-)