Symphony Chief Denies Friction Led to Key Resignation

Pacific Symphony executive director Louis Spisto on Monday confirmed the resignation of orchestra personnel director Bob Peterson but declined to comment on Peterson’s statement that the group is seeking full-time commitments from its musicians.

Peterson, who held the administrative post for seven years in addition to a violinist chair in the orchestra, said this weekend he is resigning because he anticipates changes in the organization after the conclusion of current contract negotiations--including hiring musicians on a tenured, full-time basis--that would limit the need for his job.

Spisto said he wishes Peterson well in his plan to resume his musical career in Florida but added: “I don’t know where (Peterson) is getting this information. Bob has not ever been involved in the contract negotiations at this time or in the past.”

Spisto also denied Peterson’s indication that there is antipathy between them. Peterson said strained relations between Spisto and outgoing musical director Keith Clark had carried over with a “coolness” toward Peterson, a longtime Clark ally.

“That is certainly not the case. I never had any dispute (with Peterson),” Spisto said.

“Without doubt, Bob is going to be greatly missed,” he said. “He is tremendously talented. He was a great reason for the success of the Pacific Symphony. He has a terrific set of ears. He knows how to pick players.”

Peterson’s role had been to hire free-lance musicians for the concert season, with the understanding that they could still accept lucrative free-lance work in Hollywood recording and film studios. Peterson said any move to establish a full-time orchestra would “freeze the ensemble at the caliber it is now” because many in-demand studio musicians would not continue with the group.

Peterson also alleged that the full-time contract and tenure issues would be used in a bargaining chip in contract talks under way with the union.

Spisto declined to comment on the contract talks, except to say that negotiations are still in progress and are expected to be completed by the end of the month.

Peterson said the move toward a full-time orchestra, which could lead to daytime rehearsals, is favored by Polish conductor Kazimierz Kord, who will come aboard in the 1990-91 season as principal guest conductor and music adviser.

“Kord and his management have never expressed any concern about evening rehearsals to me,” Spisto said. “(Kord) has been engaged with the full understanding that our rehearsals are evenings and weekends. There has been no discussion of a change at this time.”