We're being fiddled, say violinists 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. -- Michael Perelman Economics Department California State University michael at ecst.csuchico.edu Chico, CA 95929 530-898-5321 fax 530-898-5901
