Moscow replaces conductor who fled
OrchestrasThe Russian Ministry of Culture has finally named an artistic director for the Moscow State Academic Symphony Orchestra, which has been headless for more than two years.
Ivan Nikiforchin (pictured), 29, replaces the popular Pavel Kogan who had led the orchestra from 1989.
Kogan fled Russia in March 2022, days after Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. He sent a letter of resignation from abroad.
I wouldn’t use the word flee, he left of his own conscious, a good man. His father violinist Leonid Kogan, one of the great of his generation worked for the KGB. Anyone who replaces him is a political stooge.
Nah, just for a better audience
It seems that Pavel Kogan is the son of Leonid, the outstanding violinist. I wish him well in his career and hope he doesn’t fall victim to Putin’s vengeful henchmen.