Gergiev trots out Tchaikovsky winners for Putin’s benefit
mainValery Gergiev, Vozhd of the Tchaikovsky Competition and much else in Russian musical life, staged a concert for President Putin in which all the category winners of the last contest were required to perform.
They were: Aigul Khismatullina (soprano), Anastasia Kobekina (cello), Mark Bushkov (violin), Alexey Lobikov (trombone), Kim Gihun (baritone), Maria Barakova (mezzo-soprano), Matvey Demin (flute), Sergey Dogadin (violin), Zheng Yun (French horn), Konstantin Emelyanov (piano), Alexander Kantorow (piano).
Putin seemed pleased.
photo: RIA-Novosti
I cannot imagine post Putin era anyone will be required to present a classical music concert for the President. Like the Prime Minister Dimitry Medvedev, the future presidents are likely to be much more interested in hard rock music. I doubt that in the future any classical musician in Russia will have as much power & influence as Gergiev (I am sure he knows that).
Imagine winners of a classical music competition being given a high profile celebration by an American President. (Not that I’m a fan of Putin.)
I’m surprised Putin hasn’t yet ordered Trump to host such a reception. (Then again, I’d like to think that American classical musicians would be principled enough to decline any invitation to play for Trump.)
Huh? If it isn’t a performance to Trump the person, but just to the office of the president, then why not?
Trump wouldn’t show up anywhere that classical music was being performed.
Presidents Johnson and Carter invited Tchaikovsky winners to the White House. I am unaware as to whether other Presidents did this.
Van Cliburn performed for Eisenhower if I recall
Van Cliburn also performed for Reagan and Gorbachev at the White House.
Shame on these artists to perform for a dictator.
Why not support the free world and perform for Trump instead ?
I hope you are just sarcastic. If not grow a brain.
Lighten up, don’t be so triggered and uptight.
Putin supports music!
AKA Tchaikovsky Competition winners given high-profile showcase concert.
We know you don’t like Poutine ans Gergiev but just Imagine the same thing with Donald Trump ! It’s seems impossible. At least the russian elite considers classical music as an important and valuable thing.
I believe last week Trumpty-Dumpty was supporting culture – he had a ringside seat at Madison Square Gardens for the UFC fight. That’s the only level at which his shrunken American brain can function.
The thing which is interesting and slightly appealing about Trump is that he so easily triggers the Left and has them reeling in endless, spiraling and self-defeating contortions. He knows how to do this expertly and most of us are actually laughing!!
When in a massive culture war you need the biggest, most effective and fearless weapon and, by god, that’s why you’ve got one!!
why are admiring an idiot?
Sue will admire anything in service of her ideology, no matter how debased or decrepit.
Yet more evidence of the threat Putin poses to the world?
Kobekina did NOT win the cello category.
Neither did Bouchkov the violin, he got the 2nd price.
Excuse me? This was simply the last concert of a Mariinsky residency at Zaryadye Hall which president Putin chose to attend. But of course objective reporting on anything related to Gergiev is the last you can expect on this website.
Interesting. So this article was roughly the equivalent of saying that some American baseball players were recently “required to perform” for Trump, just because he happened to attend a game.
“Required to perform?” Did Gergiev put a gun to their heads? Do you use the same overblown language when musician perform at events attended by the Queen, the British PM, US President, etc?
Putin ought to be commended for having good taste. Most contemporary politicians would rather be seen watching some pop or hip-hop junk in order to better appeal to the masses.
One of the benefits of not having to worry about re-election, I suppose.
Can’t help but trying to imagine our own (American) leader listening to this concert. It would be torture for him. And Putin loves to torture people. He should have invited his American friend. Sorry for this rotten thought. But all best wishes and appreciation to the wonderful musicians. Thank you so much for your beautiful work.