‘People can like Gergiev or hate him, but he deserves respect’
NewsThis is the Brussels conductor Ali Alexander Rahbari, justifying his sanctions-breaking trip to Russia to our Zagreb colleague, Branimir Pofuk:
‘I am strongly convinced that I am doing the right thing. I go to Russia with pleasure and the greatest respect to Valery Gergiev and I hope that others will follow.
‘(The) invitation of maestro Gergiev means a lot to me. As a professional, especially an opera conductor, I know that Gergiev is a fantastic and unique conductor. People can like or hate him, but he deserves great respect. If I compare him to politicians, I can’t see a single one being in the same league as Gergiev regarding merits and achievements. And, one should not forget, Gergiev was already Gergiev, one of the greatest artists of our time, long before many of the political leaders of today even appeared on the scene.’
On sanctions against Gergiev: ‘Why now? Why not eight years ago after Russia annexed Crimea? I find the way Gergiev is being treated
absolutely unfair, unjust and even ridiculous, especially the accusation of him prospering from Putin’s protection. Gergiev is far too great to take shelter behind Putin or any other politician. Artists like Gergiev don’t need that. I find sanctioning artists, as well as athletes, because of decisions made by politicians in their countries completely unhelpful and detrimental. Finally, I want to tell all my colleagues that the most stupid sting an artist can do is to sanction and boycott another artist.’
The word we’re looking for is “collaborator.”
And while we’re at it, Gergiev is hardly a great conductor, though he can be good some of the time in music the orchestra already knows. He most certainly is on the wrong side of history and Mr. Rabhari joins him. He isn’t an interesting conductor either…………….
totally agree they hated him in the malaga philharmonic
Good to point out that Gergiev has conducted all over the world for years based on his merits and certainly not due to Putin’s influence. I’d like to see him as MD of the NY Phil.
Words fail me – as indeed I believe that they should…
It’s just the way for less talented conductors to be on stage. Devouring each other is like apartheid – we cut as many people as we can so that unknown ones could appear. All the commenters down there will right that Gergiev is nonentity, but we all know that it’s just an envy. I even know some really famous conductors from nowadays who are happy that Gergiev disappeared. Why? Because they have to fill these gaps in German-Italian-Austrian orchestras’ seasons. And famous conductors just want to conduct everywhere. Just like Gergiev. But they are not him and they try to be him
Well said. Giergev-bashing as well ax Netrebko and Kaufmann all the time on here. Don’t like them? Fine, but they are artistic human beings not pillars of salt or circus acts.
Brussels? I agree, the history of the Brussels Philharmonic is long and complicated, but Rahbari disappeared in 1996 …
this might help:
Belgium is a bilingual country. Today even, with a very small German speaking community, officialy trilingual. I’ll spare you the more complicated details. Read more at:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Belgium#Postwar_Belgium
In 1930 Belgian National Radio becomes a (bilingual) reality. The N.I.R. /I.N.R. is created: the National Institute for Radio broadcasting / Institut national de radiodiffusion.
The BBC serves as a model.
From Februari 1931 three conductors are installed: Franz André, Jean Kumps and Arthur Meulemans. Apparently, Désiré Defauw acts also as “artistic advisor” .
Three orchestras are formed: a Symphony Orchestra, a Radio Orchestra and the “Klein Orkest”, a small orchestra.
After many problems, changes and quarrels a Large Symphony Orchestra of the N.I.R.-I.N.R. is created in 1935 , with Franz André as conductor:
Inspired by Paul Collaer the Large S.O. expands its repertoire and performs numerous contemporary compositions: Krenek, Malipiero, Milhaud, Bartok, Schönberg, Hindemith, Stravinsky, Koechlin. And, of course, many works by Belgian composers: Marcel Poot, Arthur Meulemans, Paul Gilson, August Baeyens, Karel Albert, Karel Candael, Michel Brusselmans, Jef Van Hoof, Edgard Tinel, Jules Strens etc.
Franz André retires in 1958, but conducts regularly as guest.
In 1960 the broadcasting institute is split and the stations become respectively BRT and RTB ( Belgian Radio and TV / Radio et Tv Belge).
In 1957 Daniel Sternefeld becomes chief conductor of the (combined) BRT-RTB Groot Symfonisch Orkest (Grand Orchestre Symphonique de la RTB-BRT). He remains untill 1971. He is followed by Irwin Hoffman [1973-76].
The Large Orchestra is split.
In 1977 RTB becomes RTBF (F= Français). The Nouvel Orchestre Symphonique de la RTBF is created. Edgard Doneux is chief conductor. In 1984 this orchestra is renamed Orchestre Symphonique de la RTBF and Alfred Walter becomes chief.
In 1978 the BRT orchestra is renamed as BRT Filharmonisch Orkest.
In 1988 Alexander Rahbari becomes chief –conductor.
In 1991 BRT becomes BRTN (N= Nederlands= Flemish) In 1997 BRTN becomes VRT, Vlaamse Radio en Televisieomroep.
Also in 1991 the Orchestre Symphonique de la RTBF is definitively dismantled.
In 1998 the BRTN orchestra is renamed as Vlaams Omroeporkest (VRO / Flemish Broadcasting Orchestra) and Yoel Levi becomes its chief conductor.
In that same year the orchestra is detached from the broadcasting organisation and restarts –in 2008 – as Brussels Philharmonic. Michel Tabachnik is followed by Stéphane Denève.
Again, why on earth “Brussels conductor”? I repeat: he is Iranian and has only worked with the then Flemish radio orchestra from 1988 to 1996. He has worked with 120 orchestras in the world, including the Berliner Philharmoniker or the Zagreb Philharmonic orchestra.
Next time, why not write “Berlin conductor” or “Zagreb conductor”?
Bravo. Respect to them both. Keep music alive and stop this idiotic cancellation of Russian culture based on one leader.
A leader is only a leader if he has followers. Unfortunately V. Gergiev, which is great conductor, is also one of the zealot of Putin. He took side and must face consequences.
“BUT HE DESERVES RESPECT”
Not really, no. Same goes for you.
Brettermeier, BRILLIANT COMMENT!!
Thru the Nazi era the greatest musician was Wilhelm Furtwangler. He was their favorite, and recognized worldwide. He did not acquiesce to Nazi demands without question. He was watched closely and continually ‘pushed the envelope’ often placing himself in danger. Gergiev, in comparison, does none of this. So, he is complicent in the crimes Putin and Russia are committing.
It’s difficult to know what happens exactly behind the iron curtain and to blame or defend Gergiev. We should wait some more time to stick to a definitive opinion. We can take Ukrainian artists side right now, let’s wait a bit more before blaming Russian artists. Cultural ban is not relevant.
Respect is given when earned.
If Gergiev was merely Russian I would be against boycotting him. But Gergiev is a friend of the Putin, and that cannot stand.
No one’s heard of this bloke, nor should they care what he thinks about Valery Gergiev.
Gergiev deserves NO RESPECT AT ALL! In all departments: as a musician, as a conductor, as a music director, as a politician, as a Human Being. He is none of these things. It’s all made up!!!
It’s a very sad day when Mr. Rahbari doesn’t see the difference between “annexation of Crimea” and an “outright war on Ukraine.” There is a huge difference Mr. Rahbari.
With all due respect, I believe this collaboration takes place precisely when a toxic culture of boycotting and canceling has prevailed in any sort of musical activity worldwide. As far as I am concerned, I cannot name anyone else whose skills, experience, and talent combined together could even hardly amount to that of either Gergiev or Rahbari. Both of them, not only have skyrocketed the existing achievements and international recognition but also demonstrated how sympathy as such can and must be taken into account regardless of where or where we are living and working.
I am not entirely sure which it is, but are you moonlighting from your job at Pravda? Or are you angling to be hired by Gergiev to be one of his freelance PR agents?
As for Rahbari, I only know of him through an awful recording of Bruckner’s 2nd symphony which thankfully I never paid for. He should stick to music and composers he actually understands.
The next “sanctions-breaking” conductor will be Justus Frantz, who will conduct on the 19th of July the Mariinsky Orchestra in St. Petersburg. Valery Gergiev was always loyal to his friend, and so is Frantz. I guess, this will not destroy his conducting career in the Western world, if there is one.
Nothing about Gergiev’s corrupt finances and his loony tunes property empire?
Nothing about Gergiev’s incredibly sloppy rehearsals, if you can call them that?
Nothing about the horrible performances of the auto pilot symphony orchestra-Mariinski?
Nothing about Roldugin, the inflamous cellist who laundered billions for Putin?
Funny that?
Wow……..do you have any friends?
They must love you if you treat them similarly lol
Omg …
By the way, who the firetruck is Mr.Rahbari??
Brain dead, it would appear
“People can like or hate him…”
OK, we hate him. You said we could.
Hated people don’t get hired. They are unpleasant to be involved with.
There isn’t a shortage of conductors in the world and none of them are owed a career by the concert-funding public.
Standing ovation for Mr. Rahbari.
Putin is a politician. Judge him as such. Gergiev is a conductor. Judge him as such.
Gergiev is Putin best friend and strongest supporter. He admires him and supports the war in Ukraine without any restriction. They operate in the same mafia. Listen to Navalny, if you need proofs. It is as bad as such, Harry!
I like both Rahbari and Gergiev. Politics be damned.
Musicians take themselves too seriously on the political front. The whole world is not watching.
especially classical musicians. nobody gives a hoot about classical musicians unless they’re superstars like Pavarotti, Yo-Yo Ma or Dudamel.
Yes Rahbari, who ever you might be, go there then and stay with those dictator lovers and those war criminals, you music will shine I am sure, poor lick ass loser!
Let’s be clear, Rahbari is a totally principaled conductor, simply driven by the money. Politics be damned; he wants the cold cash. As a second division older performer he never knows where his next pay cheque is coming from. I wonder how he will spend his Roubles though.
The apologists abound. Gergiev must be ostracised along with any and all others supporting Putin. No if no buts. Those here supporting are arseholes.