A call to boycott Turkish pianist
NewsThe Norwegian concertmaster Ole Bohn is urging Oslo concertgoers to shun a forthcoming recital by Fazil Say, a Turkish pianist who has backed his president’s policy of failing to condemn Hamas atrocities and blaming the Middle East crisis entirely on Israel.
Fay was recently cancelled in Switzerland. Bohn thinks Norway should follow suit. Bohn writes:
November 19 the Turkish pianist Fazil Say will play the Goldberg variations at the Norwegian Opera. In Switzerland his concerts have been cancelled because of his statement on Hamas , where he sides with Turkish president , who says that Hamas is not a terror organization , but freedom fighters.
I ask people to boycott Fazil Say’s concert in Oslo.
How awful,, classical music concerts should never, ever be politicised. It is too absurd. I will Never boycott Fazil Say…
Mr. Fay has not been “politicised.” He entered the fray voluntarily.This was not imposed on him. He was no Erdogan favourite, yet he eagerly got behind a provocative statement by the President of Turkey.
You are free to attend his events just as others are free to avoid them.
Why not – is there no moral dimension to art? If one wants to patronise concerts by someone in denial about Hamas atrocities, fine. But you won’t find me there.
How consistent. Cancelling Netrebko, Gergiev, Matsuev for their support of Putin has been virtually a badge of honor since the start of the Ukrainian war. Would it be a bit of a double standard if a musician espousing Hamas’ atrocities didn’t get cancelled in the enlightened European cultural hubs – and by the enlightened European concert-goers?…
Too late. Mr. Say already politicized it. This is his absolute right, but his public position has consequences. His will not be the first career to be sidelined. Hopefully he has the courage of his convictions.
Would perhaps have guessed that someone who rejects politicising of classical music concerts would, if they boycott anyone, boycott a classical music performer who make political statements.
If Mr. Say does not want to be “politicised” then perhaps he should refrain from airing his political opinions to the world. But he did, and this makes it fair game for others to comment in turn on him.
It’s called freedom of speech. A concept apparently not of importance to you or Norwegian concertmaster Ole Bohn. To blacklist someone because you don’t agree with his viewpoint is no different than what Sen. McCarthy did against certain Hollywood performers in the ’50’s. Apparently fascists haven’t changed much since then.
Supporting terrorists is not freedom of speech. It’s terrorism!
It is a common misperception that “freedom of speech” means freedom from all consequences. It just means that the state won’t knock on your door and arrest you for your political utterances. There is a basic right to say your opinion, which Mr. Say has exercised. There is no basic right to be hired as a soloist by a Norwegian orchestra. And if Mr. Say is hired, nobody has to buy a ticket. Asking people to boycott Mr. Say’s concert is also freedom of speech. BTW, I resent being called a fascist. And I could sue you for it in most countries (too much hassle, so no worries). But the state won’t arrest you for this insult.
You’re decades too late. The Berlin Philharmonic played for Hitler’s glory.
Pablo Casals wouldn’t play in Franco’s Spain. Rostropovich was long greeted as a hero for standing up to Soviet tyranny. And so on…
I boycot him for musical reasons :
bad pianist.no musicality.exhibitionism only.
Art can be political; consider Picasso’s “Guernica.” On the other hand, this artist chose to make his performance political. Had he remained silent that would have been just fine. Having spoken, he has chosen to be hoist on his own petard.
Picasso was a Spaniard supporting his own people.
Then you support Hamas and terrorists!
Congratulations to Ole Bohn! It is high time someone had the guts to speak out against these atrocities. Hamas are dyed in the wool terrorists. Period.
Isn’t Israel planning to do in Gaza the things that the whole free world is condemning Russia for in Ukraine? – disconnecting water and power supplies, bombing innocent civilians, killing international observers and people bringing humanitarian aid. The country has been in violation of international laws for years, with introduction of apartheid, proliferation of nuclear weapons, assassinating its enemies in other countries and setting up illegal settlements in Palestinian territories – sometimes even using money meant for Holocaust survivors (like the big payout from the Swiss government) to fund these activities. Recently, its government started fighting even its own free-spirited citizens. Now, when it is causing armed resistance, is anybody speaking out about this to be bullied out from the classical music world? Where was Ole Bohn when Israel was breaking those laws which led to this mess?
Perhaps you would let us have your observations about the atrocities committed by Hamas, 1400 civilians slaughtered I believe on October 7. Millions of dollars intended as aid for the rebuilding of the countries economy and infrastructure taken by Hamas to buy weapons and apparently with the support of the “innocent” Palestinians living in Gaza. Relentless launching of rockets into Israel by Hamas who also place the rocket launchers at the sides of schools and hospitals with the inevitable consequences (verified by the UN by the way). Several times peace deals have been on the table and each time Hamas was walked away because its charter says, Israel has no right to exist, ALL Jews should be killed and there can never be ANY negotiation between Hamas and Israel. Oh, and by the way, tell the Queers for Palestine group that should they decide to visit Gaza they may not get the reception that they imagine!
Dude, there are so many inaccuracies in what you wrote that I don’t even know where to start. I’ll just say this: any sane person knows that Hamas atrocities have nothing to do with “armed resistance”. Russia is a dictatorship, whereas Israel is a democracy, an imperfect one as democracies tend to be. Israel isn’t looking to expand, just to survive in a really rough neighborhood. Ole Bohn seems to be sane, in contrast to some people…
Andrew-Israel was attacked-Russia was not
Hamas is not Palestine. If anything, Palestinians should be freed from Hamas. But no, Hamas is in power cos they were voted in power, in democratic legislative elections back in 2006.
A Two-State solution would have been possible, but all went to Hell instead.
And still, on a personal note I believe the (British) Balfour Declaration was a big mistake.
As Golda Meir said in an interview: “I’m Palestinian. When I came here (to Israel) it was called Palestine (British Mandate), there were only Arabs and Jews.”
On a second personal note, musicians and public figures in general should better restudy history before making political (partisan) statements.
Meanwhile, the Jewish Voice for Peace demonstration brought about 1000 protesters to Grand Central Station in NYC calling for a ceasefire. There were many more outside the station. Large banners read “Not In Our Name” and “Never Again for Anyone.”
It’s somewhat ironic that a nation so dedicated to enlightening the world for many years about the horrors of the Holocaust expects the world to turn a blind eye. Only the Jews could go and literally steal land from the Arabs but then call themselves “victims.” I bet there is a Spielberg movie in the works as we speak!
Check your facts, please.
“Only the Jews…….”
Most of the land was bought.
A touch of anti-Semitism, perhaps?
Liebster Heinrich: zu deiner Information:
The Jews have lived in that old country since 4.000 years ago. The Muslim Arabs are only 700 years younger than Christianity – wich is some 2000 years younger than Judaism.
And no, it’s not from a “mythical book”, it’s a historic fact. Everything else is geopolitical.
“Heinrich” as in ..? We already had a Heinrich who used to say “only the Jews…”. Between 1933 and 1945. With that name, I’d recommend watching one’s mouth…
No, Heinrich as in Heinrich Heine
There have been such demonstrations even in Israel itself, which proves beyond any doubt that there are ignorant and stupid people even among Jews – just like in the rest of humanity.
Norman, can you please fact check once? We all know Fazil’s statement was neither pro-Hamas, nor supportive of any terrorist organization. All he asked for was peace and justice… However, Erdogan’s statement was supportive of Hamas, which came days after Fazil’s video. Fazil didn’t make any statements supporting Erdogan’s pro-Hamas remarks…
Agree.
Well done. Fazil Say should appear in Russia, China and North Korea where he belongs.
Say is the one who brings politics into the frame. His comment was beyond horrendous. No idea why he has recently decided to adore Erdogan, especially after his own experience with this autocratic state aka dictatorship, but I would have no intention to be in the same room with someone like that, even if I appreciated his playing, which I don’t, so it’s no loss for me. Gergiev and Matsuev are losses, but it’s totally clear why MIGROS has cancelled all three of them.
Fazil Say chose to politicized his music by Taking the side of Hamas. Hamas openly states it’s intent to commit genocide and obliterate Israel. It does not stand for compromise and peace.
Now it is up to the public to chose as well. When facing absolute evil, quivocation is collaboration.
Suddenly it was ‘ok’ to murder 10,000+ innocent people. Does anybody know what’s going on?
It’s not okay and no one says it is, as far as I’m concerned.
And if there are pianists who would claim the bombings and cutting-off of vital supplies are fair and square they would also get boycotted. One step further, if a musician would step up and say that Netanyahu is handling the situation in a great manner and has done so for the past 14 years their stage would also suddenly become a lot smaller.
thank you ole bohn for speaking up. anyone who attends a concert by that jerk pianist is in the same category as he is. he should be banned from the stage. period.
Nelson Mandela was on terror watch lists until 2008
Well, do consider who makes these lists.
Muddy, To my knowledge the ANC didn’t raid and deliberately torture, burn and massacre 1400 men women and children in cold blood and kidnap 230 others.
I hope your definition of a terrorist is not a number game.
Your attempt to equate Hamas operatives with Nelson Mandela is a complete non-starter.
It is a fact that the Netanyahu’s government is committing terrorist acts and the Biden administration is condoning it. “Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process one doesn’t become a monster.” Perhaps I should equate Hamas to these governments. Or based on the logic of Genius Repairman, Hamas may not qualify.
“We know too well that our freedom is incomplete without the freedom of the Palestinians.” – Nelson Mandela
Fazil say: “I am for peace, and all my statements were in the spirit of peace. And I have always been in favor of the good, of compromise, and of jointly seeking a beautiful future.
As someone who has been to Israel for 24 years, I have been saddened by terrorist incidents like everyone else. I have always had an approach that seeks to understand both sides of this troubled issue. I also wrote that I find Netanyahu’s war politics, which have no future, to be very wrong and cruel. And finally, I found Erdoğan’s approach to this issue “sensible and peaceful” for both sides, and I supported it.”
and
“”Everyone must do something to stop this war. (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu must be tried for war crimes, genocide and massacres,” before continuing, “Freedom for the Palestinians and for humanity. Enough of this brutality.”
In a video clip on Instagram, the Turkish pianist also says, “No one can agree with what Hamas did to innocent people.”
Sorry but this is sheer non-sense. Get your facts right, and never trust or get manipulated by secondary resources.
So, no. Fazil Say never normalised Hamas, or backed up what Erdogan said on Hamas either (which happened many days after Say’s tweet. Hence, impossible).
He only condemned killing civillians on both sides, and that’s it.
He has always been pro-peace as always, and composed for it too condemning the so-called “killing culture” (Mesopotamia Symphony, Kara Toprak, etc.)
Don’t trust this post either, his tweets are readily available for you to use your favourite translator.
Surely Mr Fay’s job is to play the piano…period. I don’t expect my plumber or window cleaner to express thoughts about the state of play in the Middle East.
And why should YOUR plumber or YOUR window cleaner not express his thoughts? And like or dislike Fazil Say – and I dislike him – who has the right to tell anyone not to express an opinion? And since when should a musician refrain from social or political engagement?
I’ll definitely support Fazil Say as much as I can.
Stick to your day-job, Fazil!
I don’t support this boycott and disagree with you. Fazil stated he is for all sides to be heard in this conflict and for peace.
Fazil’s music is universal, beneficial and important for our world now more than ever.
When I attempted to substantiate what you said about Fazil I saw no posting from him on “X” saying he supported Hamas or calling them “freedom fighters.” If he did, then yes, I would support your boycott. Atrocities are never justifiable or to be applauded or condoned.
Fazil did clearly state his opinion about Netenyahu’s response to the October 7th massacre of Jewish people as a genocide and morally wrong. That is his right and this position is to be considered, not boycotted given the circumstances.
I live in the US and our government, while supporting Israel, also continues to clearly express deep concerns about the harms to and deaths of so many innocent civilians in Gaza by Israel’s military.
Regarding the hospital bombing: The fact is, the initial news reports globally were that Israel HAD bombed the hospital. NY Tines asked them when this happened and Israel did not refute it. Only later, after investigations, was this contradicted by several groups of investigators.
Israel has bombed many areas in Gaza, including the entrance to a hospital this week, as well as schools, refugee camps, mosques, whole blocks of apartments, a cancer center next to the hospital, restaurants, civilian stores and has taken many lethal actions throughout Gaza resulting in massive civilian casualties and harms. Many of those massacred are in fact babies and children who clearly are NOT Hamas. Many legitimate humanitarian organizations including leaders in the UN considers these acts war crimes and genocide. This does deserve further investigation and review.
Reality is that Palestinians are not free to leave Gaza as refugees customarily are during war. Are all 2.3 million Gazans being considered “Hamas ” now? It actually does look like that for anyone who sees the massive level of destruction of infrastructure and lives in the news.
Israel needs to better demonstrate evidence. If the world can be shown evidence of Hamas commanders and fighters specifically being killed or Hamas command centers before and after Israeli destruction this would counteract this appearance of blanket murder and harm to all Gazans.
Israel also needs show at least some modicum of concern for the massive level of killing of innocents, especially the harm to babies, but I have yet to read any statements from Israeli government expressing sadness or remorse about this ‘collateral’murder of so many children and babies forthcoming from Israel. Such killings of so many children, four times that of all persons murdered on October 7th, are as horrific as the killings of Israeli innocents on October 7th and this needs to be said and acknowledged openly. It is tragic and wrong.
In fact almost all of the 2.3 million Gazans are literally trapped in Gaza and have zero ability to escape.
Reliable news sources note that at keast several civilian families who have followed Israel military’s instructions to travel South have still been targeted and bombed to death and even families who made it to the South have also been bombed and killed.
I too question whether this war is in fact actions by the military to exterminate not just all Hamas militants, but also, consciously or unconsciously to at the very least severely punish, and push out of Gaza to Egypt all Gazans. (News of secret negotiations by Israel attempting to relocate Gazans to Egypt emerged yesterday.
Is the real intent of Israel to annihilate all 2.3 million Gazans? This is a legitimate deep concern of any global bystander observing this war.
As an American I want to be clear that I deeply believe in the fundamental right of Jewish people to be safe, free from harm, have peaceful, safe homes and communities, live their lives freely and be protected from persecution and harm.
If I witness any Jewish person being mistreated or threatened I am going to act immediately and directly to stop this. I am against Hamas’s atrocities. They are a terrorist organization.
In the same vein, I will also will act immediately to protect any Muslim or Palestinian who is being personally attacked solely because of their religion or ethnicity.
I appalled by the atrocities on October 7 against Jewish people.
At the same time I am also appalled by the displacement of over 1.5 million Palestinians, the cutting off of food, water, medical supplies, electricity and fuel needed for hopitals and the massive level of bombing throughout Gaza.
I am 100% for dismantling and destroying Hamas’s organization and supplies and annihilating the organization.
We as human beings need to move beyond war and attempting to ‘annihilate’ or ‘exterminate’ each other. Music is an important pathway to reconcile and transform war and hate.
I recommend rather than banning Fazil invite him to a shared concert with a Jewish musician/composer where they both create a symphonic piece related to peace and reconciliation and perform this in Norway.
Melissa: “Many of those massacred are in fact babies and children who clearly are NOT Hamas.”
That’s unfortunately correct.
Just remember, cowards as terrorists usually are (Hamas), they hide behind women and children.
I’m ahead of the curve: I’ve been boycotting Say for years because he’s an AWFUL pianist. His politics are the least of my problems with him. I object much more strongly to his dismemberment of Beethoven. I can’t imagine what he’ll do to poor Bach.
Norway itself did not officially condemn Hamas…
Thank you Ole Bohn!
I will continue to enjoy the ART of such anti-semites as Fazil Say and Richard Wagner.
Has anybody really checked what Fazil Say said? Are you insane? He has only advocated for peace and only supported Erdoğan’a peaceful comment in the beginning. Then Erdogan changed what he says and Fazil never supported that.
If you simply fact check instead following an “artist?” with dementia and delusion, you can live a better life.
One can be pro-peace or pro-war, and that may be a discussion to have but here let us simply state the FACT that say never ever supported Hamas and it is only absurd to claim so.
I strongly condemn the LIES written in this piece of news and spread by Bohn. What a shame!
Fazıl Say consistently expresses his opposition to Erdogan and his party. Where did you come across the information suggesting that Fazıl Say supports Hamas? Your call for this boycott seems to be an attempt to conceal your ignorance and jealousy. By the way, Fazil Say is a famous musician and you’re trying to advertise yourself by using his fame.
While Erdogan has a right to support Hamas as a freedom of expression millions of people in Turkey, including Fazil Say do not support Erdogan and Hamas, a number which is ten times more crowded than Norway. I should say that while you’re trying to hide your ignorance and jealousy you look so funny.