In the classical-music world, where top-job tenures can last decades and movements are announced months, even years, out, combining the word resignation with effective immediately is the equivalent of all units respond: It suggests something dramatic has happened. So it’s not an ordinary day when the New York Philharmonic announces that Gary Ginstling, who was appointed executive director in 2022 and promoted to president and CEO less than a year ago, is abruptly gone, with no explanation.
The move caps a period of tumult for the organization. After triumphantly moving back into the renovated Geffen Hall in 2022 and landing Gustavo Dudamel as its next music director, the orchestra found itself plunged into shock and recriminations after an article by Sammy Sussman in New York revealed that two musicians, associate principal trumpet Matthew Muckey and principal oboist Liang Wang, had been fired in 2018 for misconduct. They appealed to the musicians’ union and were reinstated when an arbitrator found that they had been wrongfully dismissed.
After the article appeared, Ginstling suspended both players and launched an investigation into the orchestra’s workplace culture, which is still ongoing. Muckey and Wang are suing the Philharmonic and New York, and the ensemble’s ranks have been roiled by anger flowing in multiple directions. It’s not clear how, or even if, the fallout from this 14-year-old accusation affected Ginstling’s sudden resignation, but the orchestra is now facing the prospect of starting its new season in September without a chief in the front office or on the podium. (Jaap van Zweden conducted his final subscription concert as music director last month, and Dudamel won’t officially take up the post until 2026.) Ginstling’s predecessor, Deborah Borda, who led the orchestra through the pandemic and retired last year, will advise the committee searching for his replacement, and some members may be hoping she’ll do a Dick Cheney and shortlist herself.
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