We all agree that the music critic position is not considered a “dangerous” one. No chance to step on a mine, to receive a lost projectile in the heart or to be imprisonned in a forgotten jail. Nevertheless, ten days ago, Donald Rosenberg, music critic of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland eldest and most respected paper, was more or less sentenced to silence.

Let’s recall that at the end of 2008, he was politely “reassigned” to opera and ballet, after having covered for 16 years the concerts of the mythical Cleveland Orchestra (and even written a book about it). Rosenberg’s virulent reviews – mainly destined to Franz Welzer-Möst, music director of the orchestra, who is far from having a stellar reputation in the international press – caused much turmoil and the editor of the paper considered that Rosenberg, blinded by resentment, was unable to write a fair review.

Claiming age discrimination (he was replaced by Zachary Lewis, 25 years younger) and the damage of his reputation, the 58-year old journalist filed suit in court against the paper as well as the orchestra. After close to four weeks of trial, that included testimony and depositions from Welser-Möst, Christoph von Dohnányi and the music critic Tim Page, an eight-member jury ruled against Rosenberg on all claims on August 6.

The critic is still unsure if he will appeal the decision. One thing is for sure: this outcome once again addresses the very touchy question of freedom of the press.

An article from the Los Angeles Times on the matter and another one from Politics Daily…

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