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.
Former major classical pianist
Yawn.
I favor classical music and this guy is not on my radar, my playlist, or in either my physical or digital collection.
In my view Barenboim is as good as any living pianist although sadly he has recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s now that he is in eighties.
His recording of Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata is unequaled.
Obviously a stupid, unhinged Hungarian in the Soros mold. May he get severe, crippling arthritis in his right hand, RIGHT NOW.
He can thank soros for some things that may have been fallen on his family. BTW don’t I need a passport to enter Hungary??
What’s next? Some flautist from Serbia will boycott?
Too bad, so sad...for HIM; not for Hungary!
Uh oh. The treble with Trump.
This player really started out on a sour note. People can have differences of opinions without resorting to virtuoso segnoling.
Now he's SOL. He fell right off a clef but his staff didn't even skip a beat.
LOL…you are on a roll this morning, Maestro!
Oh!
The horror!
In D Flat
This is similar to those liberal women who said they would withold sex from men... a.k.a. huh?
Andras Schiff can go play his piano in Ukraine.
Until then, how many "migrants" is he letting live in his house? Does he let them use his piano?
Andras Schiff needs to be told “shut up and play” in two languages.
Generally, I agree, though I also favor some of those very old recordings with inevitable "mistakes" by modern standards, but which speak the music clearly and forthrightly.
Heard Barenboim live as both soloist and accompanist. He and Martha Argerich did some duo-piano performances which still glisten in my memory.
Schiff? Good, but not great for some of us. De gustibus non disputandum est.
A guys whose Bach is decent. Almost as good as Richter or Brendel, but whose Chopin is pony. Argerich can do it all.
Not only that, but the spirit of George Floyd that Biden harnessed in his rise to power, would have cancelled Andras Schiff and all the dead white composers whose music made him millions, for their white privilege.
Instead of dying in relative obscurity, and since bad attention is better than no attention, he just put his name out there for producers to see.
Better to make money as a heel than nothing.
Seems like nobody’s ever heard of him.
Apparently he’s just looking for some FACE time.
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