Posted on 03/22/2025 9:27:30 AM PDT by nwrep
The Hungarian Andras Schiff has announced he will not play in then US during Donald Trump’s presidency.
Schiff, 71, told the NY Times: ‘He has brought an ugliness into this world which hadn’t been there… I just find it impossible to go along with what is happening.’
He is particularly upset by the crackdown on immigrants: ‘When I hear this word deportation, it rings a bell — it rings a terrible bell… ‘My family, my Jewish family, was deported — some to Auschwitz, and some to other concentration camps.’
Full statement:
Dear Friends, Colleagues and Music Lovers, Due to the recent and unprecedented political changes in the United States, I feel morally obligated to withdraw from all engagements in the U.S. for the 2025-2026 season. This is not an easy decision to make. Since the 1970’s the U.S. has been very important in my life, including the many years I lived in New York City. There have been hundreds of concerts and wonderful experiences with excellent orchestras and musicians. Some of my closest friends live in the States. I have a great deal for which to be thankful.
Some people might say, “just shut up and play.” I cannot, in good conscience, do that. We do not live in an ivory tower where the arts are untouched by society. Arts and politics, arts and society are inseparable. Therefore, as artists, we must react to the horrors and injustices of this world. Have we learned nothing from the course of history — as recently as Europe in the 1930s? Perhaps not.
The American people have spoken – and we have heard them. Yes, indeed, there is a “new sheriff in town.” Which has made it a very different “town” — one that some of us no longer wish to visit. It is no longer obligatory. Thank you for your friendship and continued support. Let’s not give up hope for better times.
The pianist, who is married to Japanese violinist Yukio Shiokawa, has previously spoken out against right wing political movements in Austria and Hungary.
I showed this to my wife and she said, “who gives a ‘Schiff’ what he thinks, it’s just a bunch of goulash anyway.”
“He fell right off a clef but his staff didn’t even skip a beat.”
Pretty sure any mention of his staff is TMI.
Concert pianists are a dime a dozen. Just pull up YouTube and a specific piece.
“When you want genuine music — music that will come right home to you like a bad quarter, suffuse your system like strychnine whisky, go right through you like Brandreth’s pills, ramify your whole constitution like the measles, and break out on your hide like the pin-feather pimples on a picked goose, — when you want all this, just smash your piano, and invoke the glory-beaming banjo!”
― Mark Twain
99.99%
That may be.
But he’s not grandstanding by making a statement of not performing in the US.
He is probably an elitist who doesn’t want any part of America and stays in the UK and the EU.
Which is fine with me.
Nevertheless he is a superior pianist to Schiff which was my point.
I give DeNiro his due as he has done some great acting although lately his work is mostly clowning for pay checks.
Pure idiocy. *Slight* difference between the Nazis tearing Hungarian Jews away from their homes to send them off to death camps and the US deporting foreigners - especially foreign criminals - back to their home countries.
Only because Barenboim is very infirm and sick right now. He is a true elitist.
Also DeNiro being American has the right to criticize this country.
Well, OK.
Meanwhile, the weather forecast is for snow and rain Monday. UGH!!!!
Glad March is almost over.
(”you” should be “your”)
Kicking illegals OUT is NOT the same as sending people to concentration camps! Yeesh!
Though now that you mention it... JUST KIDDING!
This guy (who I’ve never heard play) can do what he wants. I won’t miss him. Neither will oh-so-many others.
Stay the F’ out of here for good then a$$hole. Good riddance to leftist garbage like you.
Good, we do not want you here in America spreading your TDS disease.
I’m sure Rick Wakeman is capable of filling the void.
Dang, we’re losing so many talented pianeses.
How will we go on?
Why doesn’t he play in The Ukraine, or, better yet, Gaza?
Limp wristed piano playing dipshit America will do just fine without.
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