Qatar Symphony Orchestra is on strike!

Mr. whoever you are,

be sure before posting such kind of things or else its very easy for me to find you and kick you out of this country, Take it or Leave it

I heard that there is only one person (HR) to look after these musicians, 101 musicians, God have mercy on this poor guy

So no strike and get Qataris offended here.

some deserve apologies

Check mate.....

i mostly play nerves of my hubby.. and a bit of piano..:)

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“You become responsible forever for what you have tamed”. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Perhaps u should start charging exorbitant fees and demand to be placed in the orchestra then britexpat! then u'd be able to call yourself a world-class performer too!

I used to play the triangle and Ukelele for free.. That's why i'm broke now..

I love the fact this butterworth thinks he/she is an "insider" but gets the facts WRONG! come on dude can't u do better than that? don't tell me the next news item u're going to come up with is that the orchestra members are going to stage a coup d'etat ;-)

Yes it is true we are packing our suitcases.

But that is why we are going to visit our families on Christmas.

Next year we will have a New Year's Concert on the 11th of January here in Doha.

I thought people played instruments for free! Learn summat new everyday!

butterworth - you don't have to start a dialogue with someone, but since several people have now shot down your claim that the orchestra is on strike it would seem to be the natural course of things.

Don't you want to defend your original statement and provide us with further information as to why you believe the orchestra is on strike? Or are you happy for people to read through this thread and come to the conclusion that you must have been making it up? Made up or not, that's how it looks at the moment.

It is looking more and more as though you are simply disgruntled with the orchestra, QF and Qatar as a whole and are trying to stir up a bit of trouble. That may not be the case, but so far you haven't provided any information to suggest otherwise. And the various mistakes you've made in your comments don't strengthen your argument.

Hi Butterworth!

Please stop your message!

We are not on strike. This is nothing more than a big fairy-tale.

See you on the 4th of December at our next open rehersal.

Thank you!!!

Mandi, are you nuts? Members of WHAT union? Since when there are unions in Qatar? Say this word to your sponsor and you will be out of this blessed country before you could count to 3.

Tallg I didn't get you. Why do I have to open a dialogue with someone? I am not a part of this process. I am not even in Qatar. I am already doing what I can - informing the society about it.

Mandi "only some" refers to the leading soloists and first instruments, the ones who were supposed to get best salaries and who in fact are getting less than the blue collars of the orchestra.

A "strike" is a formal, legal and lengthy process. It involves a union and a vote by members of that union. I suspect from what I've read here that "strike" is not the proper term. Are you saying, butterworth, that some (and only some) members of the orchestra are refusing to work because of a payment dispute? That's a different issue.

Mandi

butterworth - why are you concerned with what I consider a strike to be??? It seems somewhat irrelevant to the discussion.

I'd just like to see an open dialogue between the two sides (you and the "unaffected" orchestra members) which sheds some light on why someone thinks the orchestra is on strike while others say there is no problem.

sunnyside, wasn't is scheduled on Wednesday?? Dec 3-d?

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“You become responsible forever for what you have tamed”. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

amnesia I am NOT in Qatar, thank you.

tallg How do you imagine a strike? Someone climbs on the table and screams "No work without pay"? Or would you expect them to start breaking the instruments as labourers on a construction site?

The members of orchestra who posted here are unaware of the situation as they were not affected. Those whose payments were not processed (all the leading musicians and not "tutti") brought the issue to the orchestra management.

The management canceled shows until QF resolves the issue. QF promised to pay till the beginning of Eid. For those who were not involved it was a management decision.

Snowyowl, it's 19.30 this thursday. After that the next one will be on the 20th of Dec also in Aspire but you'll prob need tickets for that one.

amnesia - I disagree with the "collective guilt" theory.

I'm glad that some QPO members have put their side of the story across. The beauty of open forums! I'd be intrigued to read butterworth's response.

@butterworth, what utter rubbish! Collective guilt indeed. Hope you're also feeling collective guilt from whatever every single one of your own nationals has done.

Ignorance.

I almost never say this, but I DO hope that you leave Qatar. We don't need such people in Qatar. (Having said that, we don't need certain Qataris in Qatar either)

If you knew a single thing about me you'd see that I stand up for those that deserve standing up for. I try to make Qatar a better place. But alas, you've decided to generalize and assume.

I suggest you look at your past posts, because you say you don't judge, but you did.

@tallg, what are your opinions on this collective guilt and that all Qataris are to blame?

On another note, i spoke to a few people that play with the QPO and they sounded confused. They said there is no strike and that one or two had an independant issue.

edit: just noticed that a couple of posters above say they're musicians and there is no strike.

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Mr. Q's Blog - A Qatari's view on Qatar.

sunnyside...time for next thurs pls?

 I may be blonde but I am wise

smile lots laugh more

I am in the orchestra and I have all my salary! What are you talking about??

My family and I remain in Qatar and nobody is on strike... actually, I think your brain is on strike... And if we leave Qatar is just for Christmas holidays...

Why say anything on the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra?? What is your interest??

Your informations are false, just bad rumors! Let us work and make the best, and please, support your new orchestra! We need you, we don't need bad and false rumors!

http://www.qatarliving.com/node/279206

You are obviously very familiar with happenings in Qatar (more so than I am) and I'd like to ask your opinion on another subject.

May I send you a PM regarding this?

AS a member of the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, (butterworth, with all this insider information, surely you would know that we are called the QPO and not QSO...?)I would like to inform you and reassure those of our supporters that we are not on strike. The cancellation of the "open Rehearsal" this week was due to an artistic decision by the management and had absolutely nothing to do with nonpayment of salaries.

Yes, there are some issues that we are trying to sort out but lets not make the situation out to be more dire than it is. I for one, am very sure that we will be able to work these things out without resorting to court or even going on strike. Butterworth, I am interested too to hear where you got this information? By spreading these rumours, I believe you are doing more harm than good. We, the orchestra are very determined to make this project work and are very happy to see the amount of support we have at our concerts.

On that note, we would love to see you all next Thursday (4 dec) in the Aspire building for our open rehearsal with music from Schubert, Beethoven and Haydn. Please spread the word!

Perhaps these conductors can get positions on the new Karwa Double Decker buses..

Tallg, you have a point but I think you must have heard of that other website called Qatar Sucks???? That is blocked by QTEL and although I have never had teh good fortune to see it with my own eyes, the title of the website says a hell of a lot about what could be on it. Having said that it'd be interesting to see if this whole idea about the Qatar SYmphony going on strike is actually true. It's very easy for people to say they are "insiders" (oooooooooooh the mystery's just killing me here! no offence intended Butterworth) but really, could we verify the validity please?

amnesia - regarding your point about people automatically believing the poster;

I believe this is an inevitable consequence of living somewhere where news stories are "covered up", to use your phrase.

If issues and incidents aren't reported in the news then people will look to other sources, of which QL is one. In the absence of a more official account of the situation, and the absence of any contradicting information, this is all people have to go on. So why shouldn't they believe it?

Forgive my ignorance,Butterworth,

It seems I have much to learn from you!

From your viewpoint it seems one has to be Hindu and only Hindu to be an Indian!

And Christians, Buddhists,Muslims,Sikhs and Parsis cannot be considered Indians.

Would you be kind enough to tell me the nationality of Zubin Mehta?

Edifis: Thank you, I know who is Zubin Mehta. I also know who he isn't. He isn't Indian, he is a Parsi (i.e. ethnic Persian) as much as Freddie Mercury was a Parsi. I hope you won't claim that Freddie Mercury was an Indian performer?

So, please take your discussions about Indian pride elsewhere. I know you guys can't shut up when someone says the "i" word, but this time try not to interfere, ok?

The proof is that the orchestra was not performing when it was supposed to perform and I told you so in advance.

Actually I don't care if you believe me. Someone had to step out and tell the truth, since the orchestra members can't. My mission fulfilled, I leave.

Amnesia is right at point no 2)!!!!

How can u automatically believe these rumours? Is everybody so happy to hear bad things about Qatar? Maybe butterworth is just a guy who has nothing to do with the orchestra and he's just posting this cuz he's bored...note that i said MAYBE... Just don't jump so high and don't tell qataris to go to hell without having solid proof!!! IMO

If you could choose one characteristic that would get you through life, choose a sense of humour.

Rassadko it depends on the club. Football in Qatar suffers from the same disease. There are significant delays to the players in shobby clubs, like Al-Ahli.

Amnesia, Qatar Foundation belongs to ALL Qataris. It acts on behalf of the State of Qatar of which you are (as you say) a citizen.

So consider it a collective guilt, unless of course you have a courage to stand up (not here, but in real world) and do something about injustice.

But as I said I don't judge, Allah will decide who was right and who was wrong when the day will come.

Qatarisun - the main conductor is Loren Maazel, and he is not even present in Qatar, since he is also a main conductor of New York Philarmonic. Whatever you've heard is either wrong, or QF is trying to cover up the facts passing contradictory rumours.

butterworth,

Indian Labourers may be working for peanuts in Gulf, But don't think that Indian musicians are cheap. Since you are not an Indian, you obviously are not aware of the various Indian classical musicians. I think it will be a futile excersise trying to explain that to you.

But ,Indians are not solely into Indian classical music, they have excelled in other fields too. The name "Zubin Mehta" may strike a chord as you are talking about orchestra and Chamber music.

He was the music director and principal conductor of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra for 14 years.

From 1998 until 2006, Mehta was Music Director of the Bavarian State Opera in Munich.The Munich Philharmonic Orchestra named him its Honorary Conductor.And he has been the Principal conductor of various other orchestra.

The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra appointed Zubin Mehta its Music Advisor in 1969, Music Director in 1977, and made him its Music Director for Life in 1981.

I have heard, it was different issue...

I've heard it has something to do with their main conductor...

But it looks like they r gonna play next Wednesday

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“You become responsible forever for what you have tamed”. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

1) if this is true it's absolutely appauling and I'm glad they've gone on strike

2) I'm also suprised how people automatically believed the poster (without sounding disrespectfull). The poster is only a day old on the forum and posting a rumour...

@butterworth, believe it or not, these same issues happen in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, they're just covered up better.

oh and thank you for generalizing that all us Qataris act and think the same.

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Mr. Q's Blog - A Qatari's view on Qatar.

Doesn't have the same problem

Hal Hilal on strike..... hehhe

Check mate.....

Just a question: is this "haram" or "halal"?

Novita77 of course they will pay in the end. How can they lose the face in front of Abu-Dhabi with Louvre? What will happen is that they will lose several key musicians, and the rest will become unsure and start looking for new jobs. Can you perform well when you don't know how you are going to pay your bills? Performance quality will go down...the usual story.

It's just annoying that something that has been open with such a show is based on lies and unhappy people. It always has been the case in Qatar and QF, but what happens to the orchestra is simply beyond belief.

Novita, nothing wrong with that. Even now orchestra is combined from people of different nationalities. What I am telling you that if skilled musicians will go, and be replaced by low-paid labourers will you be enjoying this "music"?

Rabab - hehe I meant only Rabab on the souk, no combinations ;-)

Last news. Orchestra has no money to send all the musicians to perform in Washington DC. Musicians were asked to flip the coin and decide between themselves who will not go.

Haha butterworth lol. Would you keep pls update what happen with these musicians ? Since you are an insider do let us know the end of this 'story'. I do hope it would be a happy ending for all.

"No worries, Novita77, Qataris will do as usual - hire Indians and Egyptians who will work for peanuts, and wait half a year for their salaries paid. And if the quality will not be good enough, you can always listen to the refreshing sounds of Rabab on the new old souk."

----> butterworth, as far as i know the musicians come from all different nationalities. From European till Middle East countries. And what is wrong combining the traditional arabic percussion with the classic orchestra instrument?

Qatarisun - I am telling you what's going on there. I get hourly updates from QF HR. It's a strike. They elected orchestra strike committee, who is negotiating with QF now.

tonight?? I thought it suppose to be next Wednesday? oh, i will call tomorrow one guy and ask him what's going on there..

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“You become responsible forever for what you have tamed”. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

No worries, Novita77, Qataris will do as usual - hire Indians and Egyptians who will work for peanuts, and wait half a year for their salaries paid. And if the quality will not be good enough, you can always listen to the refreshing sounds of Rabab on the new old souk.

Of course they are on strike, that's what I was telling you guys the whole day. And next unpaid salary could be yours.

argh QS, i heard it suppose to be tonight. I been texting all the musicians i knows from the philharmonic but so far no respond. I guess they really are on strike ...

Great loss for Qatar if these guys have to pack up and go home. I am a big fans of them :-(

Novi.. when are we going next time???

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“You become responsible forever for what you have tamed”. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

Rassadko, that's the point. If Yo-Yo Ma, Loren Maazel, Roger Federer and Venus Williams would have been on QF payroll they would have suffered same treatment. Their luck is that they come, cash in and go. That's the only way to deal with Qataris - get the money and leave. They don't understand civilized employer-employee relationship. Once someone is on their payroll they think they own them.

tallg, I know Qatar well enough to know what is reported and what is unreported, I spent 5 years there, until last month.

butterworth, thanks for sharing this info, however you came across it. Just to clarify though, while undoubtedly a lot does go unreported, we do see our fair share of "bad" things in the local news.

"Everything in this book may be wrong." Illusions: The Adventures of The Reluctant Messiah by Richard Bach

Oh man, just got here and found this.

Unbelievable.

Well, I guess there's equality here, after all. The world-class symphony orchestra musicians are treated just as poorly as the unskilled laborers.

They pay 1.4 million US to Venus Williams..nice player, amazing sets, but in the end just show off from a country that deserve better.

I think all will be resolved, or is that the world crises reach the Emir?

Check mate.....

They are around 120, most of them dropped their jobs in world leading orchestras, because Qataris persuaded them to come here with benefits of which they receive none now.

Some of the salaries (lower staff) are being paid,now albeit with huge delay and many of them incorrectly, but leading musicians (30% of the orchestra)have received so far 1/3 of their salaries.

Most of them are spending the savings they brought from home awaiting the Qatar Foundation to fulfill their promises. Today they were promised that they will be paid by the end of the next week.

Since they are new to Qatar they don't realize that on the end of the next week they will be told that sheikh is already away for Eid holidays, and they will see NOTHING till the end of Eid. Think of it - each of you could be the next one.

And for Qataris - Allah the almighty will have his word on this issue on the judgment day. You are acting against the Qurán and against the Islam and you know it, so I hope you will be not surprised when you will go to HELL.

Journalistgirl. I am an insider and have direct access to the information.

Novita77 will you find articles on robbery in Qatar? On people disappearing in Qatar? On rapes and killings? On prostitution? No, everything is fine in Emir's Kingdom.

I am posting from outside of Qatar, therefore I am not afraid to be located and jailed. And as we know they can jail anyone. Even VP of Qatar Airways was.

Qatar is a free country - Qataris can freely vote for any Al-Thani they choose :)

Only in Qatar!

"Everything in this book may be wrong." Illusions: The Adventures of The Reluctant Messiah by Richard Bach

i guess apart of knowing it from QL we will never find this out from local paper then ... free press and all that?

Butterworth - how is it u know all this info? Are u one of the musicians?

how many are there anyway? 100 or 1000?

I cant believe my ears. I am very sorry to hear that. It would be a great loss for the classical music lovers in Doha. These concerts are essential for Doha. It doesnt matter whether the minority needs them.

Bugger bugger bugger :(((((

 I may be blonde but I am wise

smile lots laugh more

I just think is a big lost for all of us

Love classic music, and already had made some much plans to enrich my soul with the orchestra music, finally some culture here, didn't stay for long....

Check mate.....

britexpat - there is no third party. All orchestra members are employed by Qatar Foundation, which is the state itself.

that's a slippery slope if i've ever seen one.

what is the cost per student graduated out of QF? by any normal cost-benefit analysis i'm sure the cost can not be justified either, and won't be for quite some time. does that mean they should shut down QF?

i saw the symphony and they were good. i would pay to see them for sure.

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"Even a stopped clock gives the right time twice a day." Withnail & I

I think it is only fair to give props to brit for a well placed pun.

Nice job lmao

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brit, actually Art, and 'specially symphony music pretty often has to rely on the government ‘pocket’. I would say they are rather ‘non-profit” organizations. They definitely have to get some 'injections' from the government, or some other sponsors. The audience cannot cover 100% of their expenses, let alone to make a profit. this kind of things are most likely under government supervision and should be covered by it, not by spectators. and Qatar has to understand it. and to include this type of expenses in its anuual budget.

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“You become responsible forever for what you have tamed”. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

bahalf of the state..

So the company mnay be to blame..

I work in recruitment and the very very very basics you do for employees is pay them!!!! Else why are we all here - for the good of our health????

Once again the powers that be announce something great and spectacular and hold a well publicized press conference, but then do not follow through with implementing the plans. I find this to be part of the culture here. same as building things for "show" but then failing to maintain them.

"The best way to predict the future is to create it".

UkEngQatar sure Gulf has Arts and culture. The Art of cheating people and the Culture of driving landcruisers.

Britexpat cost is not justified indeed. But no orchestra in the world is self-sufficient. all of them live on donations or state support.

Logicsays they learned the old trick - asked for a permit to go to Dubai on the weekend.

Qatar and its desire to imitate makes me laugh. Why don't they go back to what really made Qatar a lovable place? They are totally lost in a senseless competition with the freaks in the UAE.

Given the culture and the circumstances, I would think that an Orchestra is pretty much low down the list of things to do..

"The best way to predict the future is to create it".

You're right...

I'd definitely pay and if you go to any of the Qatar Foundation/Shell concerts that go on monthly here It looks like a lot of others would...To be honest though it jsut seems as though the powers that be here are too busy trying to buy things rather than actually rationally develop them...

Not being paid and not being given what you were promised is a reality of life brit? Only in certain regions of the world.

And me also.. however, we are a very, very, very tiny minority and perhaps the costs could not be justified.

Having said that.. They were treated very shabbily and should have been paid their dues on time. There is no excuse for that.

Me !!!

Let's be honest.. What percentage of the population would actually pay money to go to a recital ?

Would the same be popular in India ?

LoL, so much for a grand Opening! i don't blame them for leaving.

The Seven Words You Can Never Say On QL by George Carlin

Does Arts and Culture really belong here or are the Gulf States just buying Arts and Culuture..

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HE WHO DARES WINS

What a shame :-( was too good to hear them about a month back ... it seems that even the non-labourers aren't treated well!

Its sad, but reality of life. I am sure that they will succeed in an "amicable" out of court settlement..

strike ? become a india ?

Qatar, Qatar

Check mate.....

Sometimes this country infuriates me beyond belief. How fricking stupid can some people be.

So, they won't be able to strike a chord ??

thats is a shame ... I heard that they are not given what they been promised before they arrive in Doha.

I guess there wont be any recitals tonight and in the future then? :-(

Well, that lasted 1 performance. NEXT!

Did you Google it first?