THE Royal Liverpool Philharmonic was plunged into crisis today by a decision not to renew the chief conductor's contract.
American Gerard Schwarz will now only be music director until 2006, at least three years less than he had hoped.
The Philharmonic board's decision to terminate the existing contract two years before Liverpool becoming Capital of Culture has been condemned by politicians and funders.
Liverpool council leader Mike Storey called the board's decision "a very foolish mistake to make".
Two former chairmen of the Philharmonic and two major benefactors have also issued a joint statement recording their "dismay" at the decision..
The Philharmonic issued a brief one-paragraph notice, saying it had offerered Gerard Schwarz "a significant continuing relation-ship on a different basis".
It is believed this involved giving Mr Schwarz an honorary title and offering him up to 10 appearances as a guest conductor during 2007 and 2008.
But Mr Schwarz, who is also conductor of the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, told Philharmonic chief executive Michael Elliott today that at this stage he has no intention of taking up the offer.
In a blistering attack on the board, Cllr Storey said: "The Phil's actions makes politicians pale into insignificance when it comes to Machiavellian goings-on.
"I cannot believe a board could make a decision like this, when there will be just two years to go before Capital of Culture."
Solicitor Rex Makin confirmed he was carrying out his threat to withdraw more than £340,000 of funding to support Philharmonic's community work.
He said: "I call on the present chairman and chief executive to consider their positions."
Philharmonic chairman Roger Lewis, programme controller of Classic FM, said that "good friends of Jerry and the society have minuderstood the thoughtful decisions reached by the board".
Mr Lewis said that the conductor was aware that a contract review would take place when he was appointed in 2001.
He added that the Phil had also consulted its major funding bodies on the matter.
The Philharmonic management today insisted that the board's decision was unrelated to the Phil musicians ' vote against Mr Schwarz in April, when more than 40 of the 64 contract players voted against a renewal of his contract.
Their grievances included programme planning, which had resulted in declining audiences.
The protest statement by two ex-chairmen and two major benefactors >>
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