Gustavo Dudamel: ‘I understand why people are screaming’
OrchestrasIn a Telegraph interview with Nicholas Kenyon, Dudamel easily evades the issue of whether he should be touring an orchestra that acts as an ambassador for an illegal regime.
Here are some quotes:
- Right now, with all the disinformation, with the super-politicised situation we are living through, I understand why people are screaming, I understand the cacophony. But I think we have to reflect and say that change is possible. I’m not just talking about the situation in my country: it is a very turbulent moment for humanity.
- I’m a result of the programme. I’m not the creator, I’m not a boss. I started as a child because my father started in the system. So I have had music in me since before I was born. You know nothing is perfect. El Sistema is still alive after 50 years, after nine governments, because there was one man [José Abreu] who had a vision of organising this in the best way possible. You know there are imperfections. Anyone who comes here and says everything goes perfectly – it is not true. There are some things that work, and some that don’t work.
- Everything is over-politicised in the world right now. I believe we can only do the right thing with the tools we have and the tool that I have is music. I have believed in the values of the Sistema my whole life, and its children deserve support and respect because of the horrible situation that our country is living through.
He’s getting to be quite good at this.
Maybe he means it?
It’s important to realize that, if he WERE to speak out directly here, it would likely mean the end of El Sistema and its affiliated orchestras. It seems clear that at this moment, he’s trying to toe the line in order to ensure the safety of the program and the teachers and students in it, as well as the orchestra touring with him.
The regime using kids to force people like Dudamel to humble themselves to them is exactly the point which he obviously doesn’t understand.
He may think he’s helping this kids, but nobody is ever better off when used as a political puppet for state propaganda.
What exactly is the ultimate goal of all this attacking El Sistema? For all of the students, teachers, performers and administrators of El Sistema to stop what they’re doing and unify in protest against Maduro? Do they really think that would have an impact? And even if it did, do they think the institution would be able to just start right back up again when the opposition come into power? I understand that everyone is sick of watching Maduro ruin the country, but these attacks feel like empty virtue signaling and moral grandstanding.
That’s exactly what it is when it occurs every time.Dudamel makes any kind of.public statement. Every time.
“I’m not a boss.”
Ah yes, the “I was under orders” argument.
I’m just going to leave it there.
Absolutely right. Well said. Everybody knows that conducting an orchestra is just one step away from leading people into gas chambers.
An independent investigation by Jessica Duchen in the Times. Or a puff piece interview by one of Dudamel’s mates in the Telegraph. Hmm, I wonder which one to trust more.
Of course he evaded it. He gave his big London interview to someone he could trust not to press him on any awkward issues.
Gustavo Dudamel is a true musical genius of this age. He is inspirational beyond almost everyone else in this day and age. His detractors are pygmies compared to him. I pay homage to those few among us who elevate the spirit of whoever they touch. Dudamel is clearly one of those.
María Corina Machado was not available for comments.
Dudamel: El Sistema isn’t about music, it’s really about social action! About forming better citizens!
Interviewer: OK, so why are you washing your hands of your country’s political crisis and going on a concert tour?
Dudamel: I’m just a musician! All I know about is music! You can’t expect me to do anything other than music!