SWR: Currentzis does not support Putin’s war
NewsThe southwest German station has issued a defence of its association with the Greek-Russian conductor Teodor Currentzis.
‘There is no doubt that it would be easier for the symphony orchestra and SWR if Teodor Currentzis spoke out publicly against this war,’ said Matthias Claudi, Head of Communications at SWR Classic. He added that the SWR never asked him to do so because they feared what the consequences might be for Currentzis in Russia.
‘Of course, he could leave Russia and continue his career in Western Europe. In Russia, however, as chief conductor of MusicAeterna, he is also responsible for the members of this ensemble.’
Claudi claims that internal discussions had been held several times with Currentzis about the Russian war of aggression. ‘If there was even the slightest suspicion that he was supporting it, he would no longer be there Chief Conductor of the SWR Symphony Orchestra.’
SWR omits conspicuously to mention that Currentzis is sponsored by Gazprom, which has sent a private army to fight in Ukraine. Its failure to do so undermines its statement above.
Actually Currentzis HAS indeed made a very big and very obvious statement against the war. Look at what he is doing and what he is performing? “By their deeds you will know them”!
Of course, this takes an ear for music and a sensitivity to true philosophical artistic communication.
So in fact, you, and Mr. Eggert, and those of your party, have actually outed yourselves as deaf to a real musical statement. Not a good trait to have as a music “journalist” or, as in the case of Eggert, a composer. Indeed you have shown that a musical statement falls on your tone deaf ears and that you are all primarily politicians. That is why an oral statement from Currentzis is so important to you. Because it, the oral, the speech, the politics, takes priority over art for you.
But not for the rest of us.
Ah, SWR has drunk the Kool-Aid and sees no issue.
These selective perspectives of the broadcaster’s leadership fits the cozy atmosphere German-speaking Putin has cultivated with politically conservative parts of Germany.
They say he can’t speak out because of the potential dangers. Fine, let’s take it at face value for a moment. But, wouldn’t revealing that he doesn’t support the war based on *their private discussions with him* put him/the musicians in the same situation? There’s a bit of a logical fallacy here at best.
As Monty Python joked, for decades in Germany, it was “Don’t mention the war!” But in the current war, one is obligated to make a statement. It would appear some Germans like it both ways.
It seems a very noble thing towards his friends and members of his (AE) orchestra.
But then one ultimately has to wonder if it’s the right thing to do towards thousands of dead Ukrainians (and Russians of course).
It’s unfair to blame Russian artists for their sponsors. Why don’t the politicians, businessmen and bankers (in Europe and Switzerland) who built these tight bonds to Gazprom get bashed?
A year and a half late and NOT one ruble or euro short…
Isn’t it peculiar that all Russian artists need to issue a statement, but no American/British artists are put under the same scrutiny?
Or are Iraqi’s, Afghani’s, Lybian’s lives not as valued as Ukrainian?
N.b. This is written by a Ukrainian very much against the war and also against cancel-culture
But shouldn’t they have told him first?
Russia is reportedly founding an Institute of Corrective Psychiatry to treat cases of homosexuality, atheism, pacifism, russophobia, and asking inappropriate questions like “Kagda vzdokhnyet?”. So we are talking with these realities in the background.
Asking Correntzis the arch con-man to make a statement of any sincerity = an oxymoron.
Correntzis is, and only every has been, interested in MONEY, just like his best mate Gergiev.
Rent seekers, reeking of corruption.
How about his other Pseudo crapshoot in Perm – the “Diaghilev” festival, which has F A to do with Diaghilev or the Ballet Russes?
The “white nights” festival SPB?
Same old crap.
He’s akin with the royals from the UK, particularly those desperate cases now hiding in the USA, Harry and Meghan….all PR, and living off their miserable, – “can’t get a real job” stuff.
Could somebody please explain to me why there wasn’t a general boycott of American and British artists during and after the illegal and hugely destructive Anglo-American invasion of Iraq in 2003? Norman Lebrecht wrote (as I recall) about Blair’s transition to boss-friendly warlord, one of the most memorable comments on him. I live in a country which has no offensive (and little defensive) military capacity so perhaps I don’t have quite the feel for matters of invasion that others might have. And of course I don’t support the wretched invasion of Ukraine, so any replies should please not begin with ‘Comrade’, as I have got elsewhere on social media for advocating a ceasefire.