The Swiss conductor has been asked to conduct the Osaka Philharmonic next May.
First Russia, then Switzerland, now Japan. He’s on the rehab trail.
Programme:
Berlioz; Roman Carnival
Ravel; Daphnis et Chloé (Suite2)
Berlioz; Symphonie fantastique
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He’s practically un-matchable in the repertoire above. They’re right to give him a chance
I agree. I believe personal ethos must be set aside when such stakes are involved. Judge, investigate and try them accordingly; however we have a responsibility to artistic legacy.
The Osaka Phil has not done wrong.
You really think a credibly accused rapist should just get to do what they want because they are a great artist? Interesting ethics..
There are also dozens of recordings of this conductor in this exact repertoire. If you want artistic legacy, its already there, for better or for worse.
His rights to make music are not simply revoked as such by popular ethos or opinion. I believe that there are trials and courts in place for such judgements, and we are not fit to presume to end his career based on personal ethics. Yes this is consequentialist, but also utilitarian where the art is concerned.
Yes recordings have been made, however everyone here knows live performance is incomparable.
I will use here the example of Kevin Spacey’s replacement in the film “All the Money in the World”. Because of the actions taken by director Ridley Scott to remove Spacey, numerous people involved in the production of the film lost money, effort and time. Not a decision I believe the director should have made based upon personal values. Spacey should pay the price yes, but depriving the world of his body of work isn’t corresponding to the wrongs committed.
What Dutoit did was awful, but that is not a problem for the professional sphere, in my opinion. He hasn’t been arrested as a result of due process.
You don’t seem to understand the difference between a criminal trial and an employment contract.
Nobody has a right to be employed at any organisation they want, in a role they want, at a wage they want. All that has happened is that a number of organisations have decided not to employ him, as is their right.
I agree with your general principle, though I am hesitant when credibility is a matter of public opinion. “Credibly accused rapist” takes us into the realms of the criminal, and if it was all that credible he would be charged — at which point I would agree, he ought not to be hired before resolution. But he is at the moment, rightly or wrongly, subject “only” to accusation. Not sure that suffices to utterly curtail a life.
Agreed, V. Lind.
Credible means that Dutoit cannot prove he didn’t do it. Not surprising, given how long ago the alleged infractions are supposed to have taken place. The presumption of innocence means that we should not destroy careers in the absence of conclusive evidence.
“Not sure that suffices to utterly curtail a life.”
To be fair, his life isn’t utterly curtailed. He’s still got plenty of work.
Exactly, V. Lind
From a moral perspective, our responsibility toward human dignity takes precedence over artistic legacy. Respect for the human is the basis of all artistic expression. Without human dignity, art would eventually amount to little.
Perhaps, but on who’s moral scale? I presume based on that statement, you would consider Herbert von Karajan’s musical legacy amounts to little because of his Nazi Party membership? (A sentiment I disagree with very much)
Art transcends humanity precisely because it is greater than us.
Not to mention the entire works of Wagner.
I’d say he’s pretty darn matchable in the repertoire above… but maybe not in the area of ticket sales.
Whatever. If anyone wants to hire him, they know what they’re getting (both the good and the bad).
I should add, that at this point it says more about the priorities of those who hire him than it says about the man himself.
(And yes, the rest of us get to have opinions about that.)
Liberated women is the first thing I think of when I think of Japan.
Rehab trail? Hardly. He’s always been hugely popular in Japan, and this also shows that he’s completely toxic in the US, Canada, and Europe. As he should be.
You should add that he returns to the Shanghai Symphony with which orchestra he has enjoyed a long association. Next spring he conducts a pair of concerts with Martha Argerich as soloist.
He already returned to Shanghai June 2018. It was his first coming back concert after the scandal.
How can you travel so much at his age? I’m 59 and I don’t have the stamina for international travel anymore.
My $0.02 is that he would now be a better, wiser man in that regard. He deserves a chance.
Feel free to hire him, if that is what you want to do. You can also take the commercial risk on the ticket sales. Honestly, there is nothing to stop any organisation doing this, if that is what they want to do. (It seems they have chosen not to…which is also their right).