Ukrainian conductor hires Russian soloist
NewsA rare event in these troubled times.
The São Paulo Symphony Orchestra will be playing from June 2 to 4 with the Ukrainian conductor Kirill Karabits and the Russian pianist Alexander Melnikov.
The programme consists of Prokofiev’s 2nd Piano Concerto, Shostakovich fifth symphony and the Nocturne in D Major by the Ukrainian composer Fidor Yakimenko.
They both get it.
What’s the message? A conductor and a pianist make music together. One has been working in Weimar/Germany and Bournemouth for years, the other has been living in Berlin for two decades.
Putin advocates a form of Russian ethno-nationalist separatism. In many respects, our efforts to isolate Russians serves Putin’s interests. Glad to see these two artists not falling into that trap.
There are no “efforts” needed: the mass-murdering war criminal and those who support him have very effectively isolated themselves and have no right to be treated as a respected part of civilized humanity.
Nothing wrong with that.
This program was originally intended to be directed by the Venezuelan conductor Domingos Hindoyan, as announced in 2021. Unfortunately, due to a health issue, Hindoyan won’t be able to come to São Paulo. When the opportunity of having the Ukrainian maestro Kirill Karabits was presented, we were thrilled to have him alongside Russian pianist Alexander Melnikov, who was already scheduled for our 2022 Season — first and foremost because Mr. Karabits is a very fine conductor, but also due to the symbolism of the moment, which makes it special to promote an encounter between a Ukrainian and a Russian on our stage, with our Orchestra.
Pourquoi pas ?
This program was originally intended to be directed by the Venezuelan conductor Domingos Hindoyan, as announced in 2021. Unfortunately, due to a health issue, Hindoyan won’t be able to come to São Paulo. When the opportunity of having the Ukrainian maestro Kirill Karabits was presented, we were thrilled to have him alongside Russian pianist Alexander Melnikov, who was already scheduled for our 2022 Season — first and foremost because Mr. Karabits is a very fine conductor, but also due to the symbolism of the moment, which makes it special to promote the encounter of a Ukrainian and a Russian on our stage, with our Orchestra.
Amazing initiative!