Organist dismissed for criticizing Rutter on Facebook

Comments

1. Ronald Richard Duquette says

   September 25, 2011 at 6:54 am

   Personally, I was utterly unimpressed with the Rutter piece, and so on that score I have to agree with Mr. Tambling.  As to posting it on Facebook, well, while most Americans will loudly defend “freedom of speech,” there are two other factors here to consider:  one, it’s England, and “freedom of speech” IS a circumscribed notion that has clear limits, not the least of which is when one has an official position and criticizes the employer or organization, you should expect negative consequences.  The second is a matter of loyalty and even more importantly, discretion – and Mr. Tambling, without having read his specific comments, was apparently indiscreet.  I doubt that he will have too much difficulty in finding a new posting – it may not be the most prestigious, but I’m sure as time goes on this kerfuffle will blow over, and folks will little remember or little note what was said – and, truth be told, he could just as easily cross the big puddle to this side and probably would find a posting as well.  I suppose one good thing about this is to show that people do deeply care about the music and are willing to go to considerable lengths for and against this or that composition or composer.  As to Rutter being “described as the world’s most popular living choral composer,” well, surely….

    

   Ron

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