The International Federation of Musicians (FIM) has called for musicians worldwide to boycott the upcoming auditions for posts within the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (MPO). The Paris-based organisation has accused the orchestra of dismissing nine of its musicians ‘for no reason whatsoever’, and of issuing new contracts to the remaining 70 permanent MPO members, to be signed and returned ‘within a few days’.
 
The nine musicians, whose dismissals were first announced in mid-February, include five string players: the MPO’s concertmaster, co-concertmaster, two violas, and a first violinist who also chairs the orchestra committee. Seven of the musicians, according to the FIM, have filed legal action with Kuala Lumpur’s industrial relations court.
 
The MPO’s New York auditions will be held in New York City from 4 to 8 October, and in Kuala Lumpur from 3 to 5 December.

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