European Union: The orchestra fightback starts here

European Union: The orchestra fightback starts here

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norman lebrecht

May 12, 2016

The Brussels decision to end funding for the European Union Youth Orchestra has all the hallmarks of standard practise. It’s why so many citizens of Europe hate and despise its governing bodies.

The cut was arbitrary, unreasoned and intended to be fatal, giving the orchestra no time to find alternative sources of funding.

The men behind the decision are answerable to no-one. They will keep their fat seats regardless of the outcome of any decision they make. Who was the last EU Commissioner to be fired for incompetence?

So let’s name the guilty men: Culture Youth and Sport Commissioner Tibor Navracsics.

Martin Schulz, President of the European Parliament and Honorary President of the EUYO,

Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission.

The EUYO website is asking supporters to write to these pen-pushers. It also seeks donations to help fight closure. The loss of subsidy amounts to 600,000 Euros.

Check the EUYO website for ways to help the fightback.

Let’s storm the Juncker bunker.

euyo1

 

Comments

  • James of Thames says:

    That’s right, kill off an organization that fosters and actually achieves unity.

    • Doug says:

      More than that, a youth orchestra is about strengthening the thread of a great and time honored tradition not just to the present generation of young musicians, but future generations. So many in the West are either passively allowing through attrition or even actively involved in the total destruction of what we love, classical music.

  • May says:

    Looks like the EU needs to start making cuts in order to balance its books. Subsidizing an Islamic Invasion of Europe was never going to be free.

    • Fred Parry says:

      That is a totally inappropriate and unhelpful remark! What has Islam got to do with the decisions made by morons?! Why don’t you stick to the Daily Mail

      • Mick says:

        Islam has got everything to do with morons on top, because its rise in the West would never have been allowed to happen if we hadn’t been ruled by morons. Now let’s wait and see for some similar cuts to the social benefits millions of muslims are getting all across Europe.

      • Fred Parry says:

        Definitely stick to reading the Daily Mail and it’s ilk! No point carrying on a conversation with your blinkers on.

  • harold braun says:

    The EU is nothing but a bunch of corrupt bureacrats meanwhile,Juncker most of all….people like Ted Heath might turn in their graves…

  • Greg Hlatky says:

    If you don’t want stupid, destructive decisions made by an unaccountable Ruling Class, here’s a hint: don’t have an unaccountable Ruling Class.

  • Ada Savin says:

    A shame and a disgrace…for us, music lovers and for the memory of Claudio Abado.

  • MacroV says:

    I know that Abbado was the founding and longtime conductor, but eventually he moved on and founded the Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra (and Mahler Chamber Orchestra), from what I recall because he wanted to expand beyond just EU members. Correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t his activity with it end years ago.

    I agree the amount of money involved is trivial for the EU and the orchestra generates a lot of good will and promotes good things, but you would hope the trivial amounts could be found through sponsors, contributions from wealthier musicians, and support from individual EU states.

  • Peter Phillips says:

    The EU is “only” doing what has already happened to orchestras in France and the Netherlands, not to mention the massive support cut at the CBSO and the complete withdrawal of funding for the City of London Festival. This is European neo liberal so-called democracy seen at national and supranational level. TTIP anyone?

  • Peter says:

    It’s very likely that the national conservative from Hungary who is behind all this shameful cultural destruction simply has a problem with funding an EU cultural institution that is lead by a Russian (conductor). I bet that’s the main reason behind all this. These horrible resentments are rooted too deep.

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