Philharmonic cancels after 4 players are hit by car
News
norman lebrecht
December 07, 2024
Musicians of the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra called off last night’s concert after four players were injured when a car ran into a peaceful vigil for victims of a railway disaster. Some musicians are blaming both the disaster and the deliberate ramming on the authoritarian Vučić government.
The musicians issued this statement:
‘The Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra most harshly condemns the act of violence against them (musicians) while they were expressing their personal civic opinion…
‘Despite all efforts to hold the concert, the Belgrade Philharmonic is canceling the performance planned for December 6 at Kolarac, under the baton of conductor Daniel Raiskin with soloist Robert Lakatos. Due to the impossibility of finding replacements for the musicians who cannot play tonight’s concert in a very short time, the Belgrade Philharmonic asks the audience for their understanding’.
The atmosphere in Belgrade is said to be turning ugly.
UPDATE: Conductor Daniel Raiskin writes:
Today is one of the saddest days of my life….
A number of the musicians of the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra decided today, on a break as part of their dress rehearsal, to pay tribute to the victims of the horrible accident that recently happened in Novi Sad, Serbia.
While a group of musicians was at a pedestrian crossing in Uzun Mirkova Street, they were hit by a vehicle that passed through the peoples gathering without stopping. Four musicians of the Belgrade Philharmonic were seriously injured in this incident.
Obviously we cancelled the rest of the rehearsal and now also tonight’s concert as most of us are in a state of profound shock…!
To my dear colleagues and friends, musicians of the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra: I wish all of you speedy recovery both physically and mentally! It pains me to see your suffering and hardship and I stand with you in condemnation of violence and lawlessness! Do not let anyone take away the most precious of what we have – the great gift of music and its healing power. Please accept my love and admiration! Daniel Raiskin
Sounds like something Muslims would do for peace!
Or Zionists: https://www.timesofisrael.com/car-rams-protesters-wounding-5-as-large-crowds-demand-hostage-deal-in-tel-aviv/
This is a proud orchestra in a beautiful and ancient city, where I lived for the better part of a year. My thoughts are with my Serbian friends.