Rattle plays down orchestra revolt

Disgruntled musicians at the Berlin Philharmonic are campaigning to remove its English conductor Sir Simon Rattle because they do not approve of the programme he has selected for 2009, which includes the orchestra performing Stockhausen and Messiaen in a disused aircraft hanger.

It is believed that the orchestra will vote on whether to oust him in the next few days. Explains a Philharmonic spokesman: "The orchestra and Sir Simon are in the process of negotiating. The orchestra has a very democratic tradition. It's often called the Orchestra Republic - the musicians decide their chief conductor themselves."

The conductor, who has described his relationship with his players as "turbulent", is under contract until 2012. Although Rattle, 53, has played down the musician's revolt - he describes the disputes over his contract as "a perfectly normal process" - insiders believe he has failed to live up to his promise and that he compares badly with his predecessor Herbert von Karajan, who conducted the Philharmonic for 35 years and is regarded as one of the 20th century's most brilliant musicians.