News just in: Brazil's biggest pianist boycotts the national orchestra
mainThe premier Brazilian pianist Nelson Freire has announced his withdrawl from concerts with the Brazilian Symphony Orchestra, which has sacked half its musicians in a reaudition dispute. His withdrawal follows that of Cristina Ortiz yesterday.
The soloists appear to be starting a solidarity movement with the orchestral musicians.
I received the following note indirectly from Freire’s office:
This morning, pianist Nelson Freire cancelled his concerts in August 2011 with Orquestra Sinfônica Brasileira. “Having followed the sad news about mass dismissal of musicians, Nelson Freire has cancelled his appearance in August with Orquestra Sinfônica Brasileira”.
Nelson, whose first appearance with OSB was in 1956, arrived this morning in Paris, where he plays three times this week – on Wednesday, in a benefit concerto for Japan; an two times at Salle Pleyel.
http://www.deccaclassics.com/ontour/?ART_ID=FRENE
Nelson Freire, o pianista com a mais longa história com a Orquestra Sinfônica Brasileira: 55 anos ( com a orquestra pela primeira vez em 1956) acaba de cancelar os concertos desta temporada.
Tendo companhado as noticias através de todos os jornais, o pianista Nelson Freire decidiu cancelar os compromissos com a OSB em 2011, chocado com a demissão em massa dos músicos. Ele chegou hoje (4/4) a Paris, e se apresenta três vezes nesta semana – na quarta, num concerto em benefício das vitimas do terremoto no Japão; dia 8, um concerto na Salle Pleyel (tocando o Concerto n. 2 de Chopin) e dia 11, um recital na mesma Salle Pleyel; e nas próximas semanas em Genebra, Grenoble, Lyon e na Itália.
WOW!! I was already big fan of Nelson Freire, now he is my idol!! Better than musicians, he is a etic person! Bravo Nelson Freire
A great artist also needs to be a great human being. That’s Nelson Freire.
Bravo, Nelson!
Serous props to him for standing with the musicians. Gestures like this are of inestimable importance.
Awesome! I hope Sarah Chang and Joshua Bell follow his example!
So, Nelson is ‘performing’ with an attitude that sends a message to insporation to respect where he belongs as a musician. Parabens Nelson! pela tua atitude honrosa e educativa a favor da nossa classe e contra a corrupcao e demagogia.
Que atitude nobre e moralmente louvavel. Eu já te admirava antes, agora muito mais.
que tristeza ver isso aocntecer com todos os musicos da OSB. porque? pra alguem se achar superior a tudo e impor sua vontade doa a quem doer/? pra que ?
Bravo, Nelson! É isso aí!!!
Bravíssimo, assim é que se faz!