The following was received via voice mail: I’m calling about the article you wrote in the current issue of the Scene magazine regarding William Preucil and his power within the orchestra [“Sour Notes,” February 14]. I just called the Cleveland Orchestra and talked to some people in the public relations department. I’m not a season ticket holder, but I do attend concerts, and I am returning my ticket for tomorrow night’s performance of Vivaldi because William Preucil is going to do a solo as part of that performance.
I’m very concerned about the issues you raised in your article. I also attend CIM — the various student recitals over there. I am not a benefactor of CIM. I’m just one guy who is really upset after reading your article and I thought this was the only way I could make my voice heard.
So tomorrow I’m going to drive down to the Cleveland Orchestra and dump my ticket and ask that I not take any tickets of performances where he will be performing. I had been looking forward to this Vivalvdi, but if he’s going to be performing, after reading your article, I cannot in good conscience listen to this man perform.
Thank you for an excellent article and I wish you well.
This article appears in Feb 14-20, 2007.
GOOD FOR YOU!
He should be reprimanded.
DID you catch his earnings?
Geez …like Joey Buttfuco and Amy Fisher.
What a creep–
I will never attend a cncert again for the orchestra until he is gone.
Mary Jane
It may very well be that Mr. Preucil needs to reevaluate his behavior with students and that Mr. Preucil and the Cleveland Orchestra need to reevaluate their audition procedures. However, it does not change the fact that Mr. Preucil is a wonderfully gifted performer and teacher as well as a friendly and personable man. I don’t condone inappropriate behavior with students. Surely there were consequences for this. If not, shame on the school! As for the CSO, in this day and age a screen for auditions is a necessity. The management needs to get with the program! But let’s not burn a nice guy and a great violinist at the stake. People make mistakes. Mr. Preucil deserves a chance to make amends and set a new course.
Regardless of how “gifted” he is…He’s a sexual predator and needs to be fired and seek treatment.