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.
It will indeed. Schiff is considered on of the best of all time.
I don’t suppose he’ll be playing in Hungary or Austria either? But after a while one runs out of venues.
If I knew this would happen, I’d have voted differently. /s
“The Hungarian Andras Schiff has announced ...”
In 2011 he announced that he would never again set foot in Hungary.
I went to Vancouver (BC) to see him perform the last two piano sonatas of Mozart, Beethoven and Schubert. It was one of the best concerts I’ve ever attended.
Hey Schiff, SHUT UP AND PLAY!
Nobody cares about your political opinions. To paraphrase Cactus Jack Garner, they aren’t worth a pitcher of warm spit.
I’ll admit that I like his playing. Not the pounding of too many piano soloists today. (They sound to me like a rehearsal pianist for an ensemble number from a 7th grade production of Seussical.)
Maybe he can book a gig in Gaza? They love Jews there and they don’t deport any of them..
The vendetta against Trump is in its tenth year. That's what's ugly.
Never heard of the chimp.
Few things disgust Americans more than haughty, uppity, pseudo-intellectual Europeans.
Like liberals everywhere, he lives in a fantasy world, ignorant of the harsh world around him, because the US does all the heavy lifting.
Trump is the strongest American leader in decades, and is disliked by the limp wristed panty waist class who have a reflexive aversion to Alpha males.
“This guy is an idiot who is oblivious to actual facts”
No kidding. I’m sure he loved anti-semitic, anti-Israel, pro-Iran Joe Biden.
Trump is doing nothing more than trying to keep illegals out of our country. That’s it.
Anyway, Mr. Schiff is able to walk Budapest without fear because the Hungarian border fence keeps illegals out of his country. Please consider that, Mr. Schiff.
Another ugly, ignorant foreigner...stay where you are...no one wants you here, whoever you are.
Fine stay away. American doesn’t need you.
I think he played keyboards for Blue Oyster Cult.
> ‘My family, my Jewish family, was deported — some to Auschwitz
So he supports the party of Islam, terrrorism and anti-semitism instead.
Never heard of him, don’t give a sh—. One less Marxist in the US
once again , “Hitler, Hitler, Hitler!” ,Play me a tune, I know the words. He should have stayed out of the country when with any discernment it could be seen that a nomenclatra was propping up a brainless autocrat. That alone shows his lack of judgment.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.