Thanks again for your inputs. The following letter was mailed 11 Feb. to
Prof. W. Resel:
Professor Werner Resel
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Bosendorferstrasse 12
A-1010 Vienna, AUSTRIA
Dear Professor Resel: 11
February 1997
Thank you for your letter of 13 January 1997. Contrary to your suppositions
that we probably do not know the three points of your letter - 1) the heavy
workload of the VPO, 2) Austria's maternity protection laws, and 3) Austrian
political pressure - IAWM members are indeed very well informed about all of
them. For several months our international members and friends in Austria
and other European countries have shared factual information about the hiring
procedure and working conditions of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra.
Thanks to the miracle of cyberspace we also have read all of the newspaper
articles of the last few weeks in Vienna, New York, Los Angeles, and many
other cities.
We are encouraged that you think you will have resolved this problem in the
foreseeable future. We appreciate that it will be a bold and historic act to
create a new hiring policy. Such a courageous policy promises, however, to
be more in keeping with your own otherwise traditionally high orchestral
standards, as well as with the views of modern Austria. We and the world are
watching and sincerely wish you success in developing a solution which will
be truly equitable.
In the meantime the IAWM intends to continue informing audiences and the
media about the discriminatory hiring practices of the Vienna Philharmonic
Orchestra. If the orchestra votes "NO" in the coming election regarding
women's membership, it is reasonable to anticipate that the public, within
Austria and without, will broadcast its disappointment in your retaining such
an outdated private club policy. We further would expect you to change your
name to The Vienna White Middle-European Men's Philharmonic Orchestra.
If, on the other hand, the orchestra members vote "YES" to admitting women,
we will expect and watch for the following: 1) an immediate, bold bestowal
of full VPO membership to harpist Ilse Lelkes; 2) a practical extended leave
plan and policy which would apply equally to both men and women; and 3) a
screened audition procedure for the VPO and the State Opera Orchestra that
would provide equal opportunity for both men and women and all ethnic groups
with decisions based solely on musical ability.
We plan to focus media attention on the progress of the Vienna Philharmonic
Orchestra until such time as the new policies are well-established and
visible from the audience.
Respectfully,
Professor Doctor Deon Nielsen Price
President IAWM
10701 Ranch Road, Culver City, California 90230