Berlin Philharmonic takes a position on Currentzis orchestra
NewsThe German journalist Axel Brüggemann has picked up on player unease at the appearance of Berlin Philharmonic horn player Sarah Willis in the ad hoc ‘Utopia’orchestra led by the controversial Greek-Russian conductor Teodor Currentzis.
Willis, it appears, was jumping in ‘at very short notice’ for an absent colleague. She is not a member of Utopia.
Brüggemann asked for a clarification of the Berlin Phil position and was told, in his words, that “‘due to the confusing situation,’ the Berliner Philharmoniker would currently advise their musicians not to perform with Utopia, the press office said”.
Our understanding is that players generally do not seek official advice about their freelance engagements. However, a spokesperson has clarified to slippedisc.com, that ‘if they would ask us beforehand, we would probably advise our musicians to refuse this request.’
Which seems perfectly reasonable, and fairly significant.
Essentially, Currentzis is compromised by Gazprom and other shadowy backers whom he refuses to name.
The persecution continues.
Reasonable?
No it isn’t
Freedom of speech.
Not only is Sara Willis allowed to play for whomever she wants in her personal free time, she is allowed to espouse whatever views she wants in her personal free time.
Any player of the Berlin Philharmonic is allowed to support Putin in his or her personal capacity.
That is the essence of democracy. This is the strength of democracy. That is what distinguishes a democracy from Putin’s autocracy.
No, not necessarily the essence of democracy – see Baltimore Symphony Orchestra which fires its flute principal Emily Skala for saying certain things on her social media.
Does the US practice democracy? Yes, it doses. Was Skala not saying things on her free time, and, on her personal account? Yes.
We are not saying whether Baltimore Symphony made the right decision to terminate Skala. All we are trying to say is, in the same token, Sarah Willis could be viewed as representing the prestigious Berlin Phil whenever and wherever she acts/performs/talks, including her time off from work at the Berlin Phil.
In that respect, Berlin Phil understandably might not want to be associated with a player whose performance at an event could very well be interpreted as being in support (2x removed) of some dictator, hence, the official clarification from the Berlin Phil.
“whenever and wherever she acts/performs/talks, including her time off from work”
Wow! Do you live your life like that, completely owned by your employer? I am so sorry for you.
“Progressive discipline policy” represents democracy, eh…? Excuse my doubt:
“Principal Flutist Emily Skala has been dismissed from the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra in accordance with the progressive discipline policy agreed to in our collective bargaining agreement with the Musicians’ Association of Metropolitan Baltimore Local 40-543, AFM,”
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/emily-skala-baltimore-symphony-orchestra-flutist-fired-conspiracy-theories/
Is there actually some democracy left? Sorry, I don’t see it. What I see, is the TV, the press, the social media, the dirty politicians that are saying to you what you need to think, feel and say. You cannot have your own opinion anymore – and this reminds me about more dark days of poor Russia – about 20 years of Stalinism that they have suffered.
Gentile Claudio, Lei mi trova interamente d’accordo con le sue considerazioni.
Grazie.
Mi congratulo con Lei per saper scrivere con riflessione, ponderazione, equanimità, coraggio!
Qualità che con piacere osservo sempre nei suoi commenti!
Ah, fossero tutti come Lei su SD, anche per carità, di opinioni opposte alle mie!
Dear Claudio,
I entirely abound in your considerations. Thank you.
Congratulations to you on writing with thinking, poise, equanimity, courage!
Ah! Could all SD’s commentators be like you, of course also the ones opposed to my opinion!
Grazie.
You can support the Putin if you like but it is only fair that those that oppose him call you out unless you can provide comprehensive evidence that somehow shows Russia is doing the right thing invading and attempting to crush a sovereign neighbour who democratically chooses to be more friendly with the West than Russia at the moment.
“You either understand history or you believe government. You can’t do both.”
Claudio, your remarks are so confused. Let me explain: (1) Stalin did more that tell people what to thing (although he did that as well) he also murdered his enemies, including millions of farmers and peasants. Tens of MILLIONS were murdered. (2) Putin has not yet reached that level, but he is approaching Stalin’s level. Thousands arrested just for peaceful protests or calling the war on Ukraine “a war”. His thugs have murdered, tortured tens of thousands of Ukrainians, and have committed unspeakable war crimes. And you are on a classical music site whining that Europe and North America have no democracy? If this were Russia, and you posted something Putin didn’t like, you would be arrested and imprisoned. There is no independent press in Russia, and there is no democracy there, because Putin has shut it down. And that has not happened here. See, your post is still here and we are free to see how misguided and foolish your comparisons are. And you are still free to collect your payment from your troll farm boss.
Germany, Denmark, Great Britain, France, Australia, New Zealand, etc. have “hate speech”
laws that have imprisoned people. “Hate speech” is what the authorities say it is. Let’s not even get into “disinformation laws” right EU?
How about governments working together with big tech companies to censor views they don’t like?
Of course the MSM is bought and paid for by the deep state. You’re right. It takes some searching (for God’s sake don’t use Google) but one can find info out there. The West isn’t as bad as Russia or China…yet.
There are good signs though. Elections in Europe are turning in the direction of sanity.
Since when did employment–which requires a business relationship–become “speech”? Somehow I don’t think you understand “freedom of speech”. FoS only applies to GOVERNMENT censorship or retribution for “speech”. It does not apply to private individuals or employers, who have the freedom to hire or not hire based on an individuals behavior or speech. But to continue your false premise, your version of “freedom of speech” would also allow the Berlin Phil to say or act however it wants as well. I advise that no one take posts on SlippeDisc as meaningful or accurate comments about democracy, democratic principles, or “free speech”. Especially when the place is populated by trolls of uncertain origin and intention.
1.Glad to hear the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra is a private employer which receives no public funding.
2. I suggest Sarah Willis keep up with “the Current Thing” which will be something different in the future:)
“I advise that no one take posts on SlippeDisc as meaningful or accurate comments about democracy, democratic principles, or “free speech”. Especially when the place is populated by trolls of uncertain origin and intention.”
So strange how some people look directly into the mirror and not see themselves.
Grazie. Thank you.
TYPO CORRECTED.
No, not necessarily – see Baltimore Symphony Orchestra which fired its flute principal Emily Skala for saying certain things on her social media.
Does the US practice democracy? Yes, it does. Was Skala not saying things on her free time, and, on her personal account? Yes.
We are not saying whether Baltimore Symphony made the right decision to terminate Skala. All we are trying to say is, in the same token, Sarah Willis could be viewed as representing the prestigious Berlin Phil whenever and wherever she acted/performed/talked in public, including her time off from work at the Berlin Phil.
In that respect, Berlin Phil understandably might not want to be associated with a player whose performance at an event could very well be interpreted as being in support (2x removed) of some dictator, hence, the official clarification from the Berlin Phil.
Well, Sara Willis shows up on every opportunity you can think of – so what….
Fun fact to know: Envy is one of the seven deadly sins.
I fear we may be getting too many degrees from the original rotten tree.
According to the website,
“The orchestra is funded with proceeds from concerts and supported by Kunst und Kultur DM Privatstiftung and various European patrons.”
So other than Currrentzis, the connection to Russia, Gazprom, Gergiev, and other evil-doers seems pretty remote. It’s fair to demand that Currentzis distance himself from Russia, but I don’t necessarily agree that people shouldn’t work with him in any and all situations.
“various European patrons” doesn’t exclude Russian money. Not directly, and not by detour through Liechtenstein foundations.
(Russia up to the Ural mountains is Europe.)
Should we also question those countries that continue to maintain good relations with Russia?
Yes., absolutely.
…or Saudi Arabia.
“a spokesperson has clarified that ‘if they would ask us beforehand, we would probably advise our musicians…”
Soooo patronizing of the Berlin Philharmonic administration towards its musician artists.
Who appointed these little pin headed bureaucrats “Life Coaches” for musicians at the top of their game?
“Dear Petrenko, if you would ask us, even though you didn’t, we would advise you to do an hour of swimming, an hour of Pilates, meditative yoga every morning before you come to work at the Philharmonic. Sincerely, your Berlin Philharmonic Life Coach”
“Dear Violinist, If you would ask us…we would advise that you hold off having your first child for another year, put your elderly parents in a nursing home, tell your aunt how you honestly feel about her. Sincerely….”
“Dear Woodwinds, we advise that you read Kant and Heidegger to improve your minds, as just reading little black dots on a page the rest of your life is a terrible waste of the human spirit. Sincerely…”
“Dear Horn Player, oh noooo, you do not look good in blue, we would advise orange. Sincerely…”
If I were Gazprom, I would acquire the Berliner Philharmoniker.
Also Gerald Karni played there !what a shame on him !