Ukraine cancels Putin pianist’s recital

Ukraine cancels Putin pianist’s recital

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norman lebrecht

March 14, 2014

Russian sources are reporting that the National Opera of the Ukraine has cancelled a March 27 recital by Denis Matsuev because he has expressed support for President Putin’s actions. Last night, the conservatory in Lviv dropped Yuri Bashmet from its honours board for the same reason.

It’s getting nasty out there.

 

matsuev gergiev

Comments

  • Christy says:

    Getting nasty? As opposed to people who are missing or dead?

  • Mitch says:

    Good. “Oh your like assisting with taking over our country but why not pull up a chair to play piano ….”

    Ukraine standing up for their own. Awesome

  • Just exactly what did Matsuev and Bashmet expect, an awards ceremony in Kiev? I hope that Ukrainians picket wherever these guys play. Matsuev must be a rather dim to be surprised. His letter is pathetic. Bashmet is a surprise. He spent years in Lviv and must know first hand the Ukrainian antipathy towards Moscow.

  • Anna Sleptsova says:

    Getting nasty in Ukraine ? or in Russia ? Russia might occupy your country as well , if some Russians are “not happy” there!

    Bashmet is just scared , as many others….Very sad, especially when people don’t understand what’s going on there.

  • Novagerio says:

    I never heard of western countries telling Oistrach or Gilels 60 years ago: “You are not welcome in this country unless you boycott that bloody monster Stalin….

    • sdReader says:

      You missed the point.

    • m2n2k says:

      The situation was very different 60 years ago. Neither Oistrakh nor Gilels had opportunities and choices available to them comparable to those that Gergiev, Bashmet, Matsuev, Spivakov and others have now.

  • Irene says:

    National Opera of Ukriaine did the correct thing. BRAVO!!! He can play elsewhere…….

  • Constantine Finehouse says:

    At least yesteryear dictators had great musicians to be symbols of Soviet prowess. They used to say that Hitler has his Goebbels and Stalin has his Gilels. We have still got good dictators. But is Matsuev really the best we can do as the dictator’s pianist:)?

  • Novagerio says:

    On the other hand, lets see how many will now become “world stars” for signing against Putin (and Gergiev!) – Seems like things are turning the other way around! 🙂

    • m2n2k says:

      If and when this occurs, we might discuss it, but so far there is no indication that any such thing is happening.

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