Beijing Symphony Orchestra fired its principal cellist after his boorish behavior was caught on camera . Music director and principal conductor Tan Lihua said , `` the orchestra , as a civilized envoy of high culture , requires all of its staff , including foreign performers , to comply with the country 's laws and regulations as well as traditional moral standards . '' The Russian conductor refused to remove his bare feet from a fellow train passenger 's headrest , shouting and cursing at her . Beijing Symphony Orchestra said the incident damaged the group 's reputation , following widespread public outcry on Chinese TV .
Beijing Symphony Orchestra fired its principal cellist after his boorish behavior was caught on camera . The Russian conductor refused to remove his bare feet from a fellow train passenger 's headrest , shouting and cursing at her . Beijing Symphony Orchestra said the incident damaged the group 's reputation , following widespread public outcry on Chinese TV .