Scandal has rocked the Houston Symphony after an anonymous source leaked disturbing photos that appear to depict a physical confrontation between Houston Symphony Principal Cellist Brinton Averil Smith and world-renowned cello superstar Yo-Yo Ma.
The attack is alleged to have occurred after Ma’s sold-out, one-night-only appearance with the Houston Symphony last February. The cause of the altercation appears to have been a love-triangle centered on Petunia, Ma’s primary performing instrument.
Petunia was built by Domenico Montegnana in Venice in 1733, and is valued at US $2.5 million. The name “Petunia” was suggested by a student Ma met at a school event in Salt Lake City, and has stuck ever since. “She might be 284 years old, but she is the most beautiful cello I’ve ever seen,” confessed Smith. “After hearing Yo-Yo Ma play her, I was overcome with jealousy. I knew Petunia and I were meant to be together.”
Sources inside the Symphony have confirmed that after the concert Smith secretly stole Petunia from Ma’s cello case and replaced it with his own. The subterfuge was revealed at an exclusive post-concert banquet when Ma recognized the distant sound of a cello coming from another room. Leading a train of high-profile donors and VIPs, Ma followed the sound only to discover Smith with Petunia.
When confronted, Smith lashed out, initiating an intense brawl fueled by caviar and Veuve-Clicquot. “Music is a passionate art form,” explained Houston Symphony CEO Mark Hanson. “Musicians are passionate people, and sometimes that passion extends beyond the stage. We shouldn’t blow these sorts of things out of proportion.”
Others, however, have remarked on the extraordinary nature of the incident. “We’ve had donor events with carnival dancers; we’ve turned Jones Hall into a wine cave; we’ve had an Academy Award-winning movie star narrate Peter and the Wolf; but nothing like this has ever happened. The only thing that comes close is the rumored pistol duel between our concertmaster and Leopold Stokowski at the 1956 Opening Night Gala,” mused Symphony Board Development Committee Chair Jerry Simon. “To be fair, I’ve been told that Stokowski’s tempi were often unorthodox.”
After some struggle, the two cellists were separated and the instruments returned to their rightful owners. “Despite this aberrant behavior, Mr. Ma has assured us that he has no hard feelings toward the Houston Symphony and looks forward to playing with us again someday,” said Senior Artistic Advisor Aurelie Desmarais.
Comforted by members of the cello section, Smith later came to his senses and apologized for the scene, attributing his momentary madness to the stress of preparing for his upcoming revival of the Castelnuovo-Tedesco Cello Concerto. Not all of his fellow musicians were so understanding, however. “I don’t know what all the fuss was about,” commented Co-Concertmaster Eric Halen. “Who cares about cellos anyway?”
Happy April Fool’s Day from the Houston Symphony!
I fell for it
I fell for it
I KNEW THAT WAS A JOKE IN THE 2ND PIC. I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT NOBODY LAUGHS WHEN BEING STRANGLED!!!!
I KNEW THAT WAS A JOKE IN THE 2ND PIC. I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT NOBODY LAUGHS WHEN BEING STRANGLED!!!!
Not since Yo Yo accosted Jeff Solow with the contents of a fire extinguisher at 2 am at Marlboro some years ago has there been such a scandale. Mr. Serkin was said to be apoplectic and was forced to delay the next days program of Rinice de Coffeecups’ eighteenth cello sonata. Quelle Horrorer!
Not since Yo Yo accosted Jeff Solow with the contents of a fire extinguisher at 2 am at Marlboro some years ago has there been such a scandale. Mr. Serkin was said to be apoplectic and was forced to delay the next days program of Rinice de Coffeecups’ eighteenth cello sonata. Quelle Horrorer!
It’s understandable and to be expected. Superstars like Yo Yo Ma get all the renown and glory while the poor working stiffs have to slave and toil in total obscurity in the HS sweatshop. Resentment inevitably builds up, and will lead to explosive consequences, as the have-nots rise up in righteous anger. I favor a Marxist or Leveler-type solution: share the wealth. The cello Petunia should be broken up, and the pieces distributed to all cellists deemed needy and worthy by the Party. It’s unfair for anyone to have more than others!
Sorry to have missed this volcanic event – it’s what happens when Pilgrims from Massachusetts mess with Cowboys from the Wild West.
Sorry to have missed this volcanic event – it’s what happens when Pilgrims from Massachusetts mess with Cowboys from the Wild West.