The first concertmaster and principal flute of the Berlin Philharmonic will depart the orchestra as each musician nears the end of their probationary period. The high-profile departures raise questions about the orchestra’s intense pressures and openness to female musicians.
First Concertmaster Vineta Sareika announced on social media she would resign from her position. The first woman to ever hold the title, Sareika wrote, “It has been an honor for me to serve as [the Berlin Philharmonic’s] first ever woman concertmaster and I am truly grateful for this unique life experience, fantastic concerts and inspiring encounters.”
However, Sareika added, “One of the many valuable learnings during the past years however is that being part of this particular orchestra is not the path I’d like to continue on in the future.” The violinist’s word choice has raised questions among fans and patrons of the Berlin Philharmonic about whether Sareika is alluding to cultural problems or other institutional issues.
Meanwhile, Principal Flute Sébastian Jacot will also leave the Berlin Philharmonic after failing to pass his two-year probationary period. Jacot has received acclaim as a soloist and held successful tenures at Leipzig’s Gawandhaus Orchestra and the San Francisco Symphony. His surprising inability to pass the Berlin Philharmonic’s probationary period has put a new spotlight on the incredibly challenging environment at the orchestra.
Neither Sareika nor Jacot have commented directly on the Berlin Philharmonic’s culture or specific reasons for their departures. The organization has been known for decades for its extraordinarily high artistic standards coupled with an intense and often highly political culture that is not for all musicians.
