The pianist from the audience at La La Land in Concert was a global feelgood story – but all was not what it seemed

1:04 Audience member takes over from ill keyboardist at Sydney La La Land concert – video The pianist from the audience at La La Land in Concert was a global feelgood story – but all was not what it seemed Two orchestra members from the Sydney performance allege tensions behind the scenes were the cause of pianist failing to appear after intermission Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast When an audience member stepped in for a pianist at a Sydney performance of La La Land in Concert last month it made global headlines. During the intermission of the concert at Darling Harbour Theatre on 30 May, the two-time Oscar-winning composer and conductor Justin Hurwitz appealed to the 2,000-strong crowd for an “amazing sight-reader” , saying one of his two keyboardists had fallen ill. But now two musicians who were part of the orchestra have given a different version of events, saying the keyboardist left after tension between Hurwitz and the orchestra during rehearsals on the day of the performance. One told the Guardian the audience member stepping forward may have been “a nice sort of feelgood kind of moment” but it did not reflect the mood behind the scenes. Sign up for the Breaking News Australia email One source claimed the percussion and keyboard sections of the orchestra had been singled out for what they felt was unreasonable treatment by Hurwitz, who allegedly remarked that Australia must have different musical notation than the rest of the world. The other said they felt he had poor communication with the orchestra and was “just expecting everything was going to be 100%, which is never the case for a rehearsal”. “That’s where you work on things, that’s the point of a rehearsal.” One of the musicians felt George Ellis, who contracted the musicians that formed the scratch orchestra for the La La Land concerts, was also critical of both keyboardists less than an hour before the concert was due to begin. At one point he allegedly told them to play a section again “without the wrong notes”. “What are you doing? What are you going to do tonight?” Ellis allegedly said. Both musicians the Guardian spoke to described the backstage scramble on mobile phones during the extended intermission to find a replacement keyboardist, saying no one among the orchestra appeared to be willing or able to volunteer. A 21-year-old university student, Sterling Nasa, stepped forward from the crowd and took his place on stage. Guardian Australia has been unable to reach Nasa for comment. The Guardian is aware that at least nine of the musicians who played in the Sydney concerts are now helping the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) with a workplace inquiry about the events surrounding the performance. “We are aware of the allegations and are supporting our members throughout the investigation process,” the MEAA said. “All arts and entertainment venues and production companies are expected to adhere to minimum workplace safety and employment