RTÉ forced cuts on string quartet
Mr Crimmins, it seems, would have your readers believe the quartet have voluntarily agreed or chosen to reduce their remuneration over the years.
Since they accepted RTÉ’s invitation 24 years ago to relocate from London, the world centre of chamber music, they have given their all to the musical life of Cork and Ireland generally by living and working full time here.
Every diminution in their terms and conditions has been forced on the quartet. Last August they were left in no doubt that if they did not accept a reduction of 40%, they would get no contract for 2010. I know because I was representing them at that time.
Mr Crimmins seems to suggest that because “the quartet is a VAT-registered partnership” they can be treated less favourably than other musicians in RTÉ. When we asked RTÉ why they were cutting the remuneration of the quartet so drastically, we were told simply “because we can”.
In a letter dated August 7, 2009, Mr Crimmins agreed that as part of the agreement for 2010 he would “meet in November 2009 with the objective of reaching a shared artistic and editorial understanding of how RTÉ’s future chamber music needs might be met beyond 2010”. Mr Crimmins reneged on this agreement and in its place, without agreement or prior consultation, commissioned a report. Despite our requests we were not given a copy of the letter of appointment nor have we been given a copy of the report.
The author of the secret report refused to meet me as a representative of the quartet, event though it was the quartet’s express wish that he should do so.
RTÉ’s statutory obligation is “to establish and maintain orchestras, choirs and other cultural performing groups” and not, as Mr Crimmins wrongly paraphrased it, “to consider, inter alia, the most appropriate way to provide chamber music services”.
In other words RTÉ’s obligation is to maintain the quartet — not to substitute it with various visiting groups as it is threatening to do.
If Mr Crimmins is genuinely interested, as he says, in a “proper debate” on RTÉ’s future plans for the Vanbrugh Quartet in Cork, I would be happy to have such a discussion with him in public or on the airwaves at any occasion of his choice.
This is an important matter for the musical life of Cork and Ireland and should not be decided behind closed doors.
Over to you, Séamus.
John Horgan
Carnelly Woods
Clarecastle
Co Clare
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