Cellist Frederick Zenone, who became an influential mediator in orchestral labour disputes, has died of cancer at the age of 74. Having learnt the trumpet in his youth, Zenone took up the cello very late, at 21. After joining the National Symphony in Washington DC in 1969, he became chairman of its orchestra committee, which represented the musicians in contract negotiations.

Alongside a 30-year career with the National Symphony, Zenone was a leading advocate for musicians' rights across the US, and acted as a consultant in labour-management disputes involving orchestras in Philadelphia, Baltimore, Honolulu, Denver, and other cities.

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