As its Beethoven Festival climaxes, the musicians of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra are presenting a powerful united front.

Backstage, however, the organisation is struggling to project an image of harmony.

In a statement released at 6pm on Friday evening, 29 November, the MSO said it was “pleased to provide the following update on Board and governance matters”.

The statement leads off with the news that its independent governance review will no longer be helmed by musician and former Federal Arts Minister Peter Garrett “due to the delays in progressing the review arising from legal action commenced against the MSO.”

The review, now conducted by KPMG and informed by Creative Australia’s Essential governance practices for arts organisations (January 2021) will continue and is expected to include recommendations to enhance organisational governance and risk management and make improvements to policies and processes.

On completion of the Review, “the MSO may consider sharing its proposed enhancements.”

KPMG, said the statement, “will not make any findings about any event or any person. KPMG will make recommendations only, which will be directed solely to governance enhancement.”

However, the review will not begin the resolution of legal proceedings commenced by pianist Jayson Gillham against the MSO after it...