St. Louis Symphony Cancels Weekend Concerts; Musicians Picket

Meanwhile, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports, musicians picketed Powell Hall for more than an hour yesterday, with brass musicians playing their instruments. "There was a great sense of union camaraderie," said flutist Jan Gippo, a representative of the musicians.

Gippo told the paper than the musicians had no plans to picket again. "We just wanted to get our message out," he said. "There is no war, just a philosophical difference."

The concerts on January 7 and 8 were to be conducted by music director-designate David Robertson and to feature pianist Orli Shaham. The program included Dvoršk's Piano Concerto and Bart‹k's The Wooden Prince. Ticket holders may exchange their tickets or receive a refund.

The orchestra has not yet canceled any other concerts. Its next scheduled performances are January 15 and 16, conducted by Nicholas McGegan and featuring violinist Alison Harney.

The musicians' previous contract expired on January 2. Officials say the SLSO's financial recovery requires that the musicians accept a pay cut; musicians want a raise.

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