The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra has told its musicians that they will be stood down without pay next week, citing fears the organisation might not survive the coronavirus lockdown.

The MSO will keep only "essential" employees on staff during the lockdown, MSO chair Michael Ullmer said in a letter sent to employees on Tuesday, and these would take a 20 per cent salary cut.

Sir Andrew Davis conducting the MSO.

However the MSO intends to bring back all employees including the musicians once the crisis is over, a spokeswoman said.

"Our overriding objective is to preserve this great organisation so that it can prosper into the future," Ullmer said in the letter. "It is critical that when we recommence normal operations, the MSO is not in an irreparable and depleted state.