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.
Barenboim is a bigger Trump and Bibi hater than this guy.
My favorite classical pianists are Victor Borge and Oscar Levant. Sadly, neither of them are currently available on this planet. However, there are plenty of great pianists from around the world, known and not known yet. I think we can find a willing replacement.
Auuuuugh! Lol! Well punned :)
Who cares . . .one less concert to be overcharged for.
So, some attention whore dweeb I’ve never heard of isn’t coming to America? And?
Another dick-head named Schiff.
How will I ever get over this loss?
He’s the Milli Vanilli of Pianists anyway
That’s ok. I’d rather listen to my daughter play Polly Wally Doodle.
Hungarian born, lives in Britain, and is of course highly critical of Orban as well (whom he calls racist, fascist, and anti-Semitic). His level of understanding appears sophomoric, at best.
His commentary about about Trump is typical uninformed, self-righteous, and dangerous claptrap.
‘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.’
The 'nice', 'beautiful', 'high society' people with whom Mr. Schiff is likely most familiar are not the people who make the world amazing and wonderful. They are too often the ones who bring ugliness into the world.
The world is full of well-mannered demons who will stab you in the back while smiling in your face. These include quite a few 'patrons of the arts'. These are the kinds of people so many on the left think are wonderful, educated, sophisticated ethical people - but who live their lives guided by their ego, self-importance, and self-interest. Then you have Trump, who tells it like it is and doesn't mince words - but who is fair and caring.
idiot (IQ of 0–25)
imbecile (IQ of 26–50)
Talented performers should have high IQ levels.
Thus, this “player” isn’t qualified to be called a performer.
So?
........The Hungarian Andras Schiff has announced he will not play in then US during Donald Trump’s presidency......
1. That is very sad!
2. Deportees from the USA are here illegally! And they are not being sent to an Auschwitz or other death camp—they are being sent back where they came from!
I’m sure that he can fill the gap in his schedule with some openings in Ukraine.
If you find yourself equating the rounding up of Jews to be murdered in gas chambers to the deportation of people whom entered a country illegally, back to their own countries, then you might be a moron.
So what?
Excuse me, I have to go to the bathroom and take a Schiff.
Trump isn’t deporting Americans or legal residents of the U.S., he is deporting criminals and terrorists, he is briefly jailing some until they can be sent home and is slaughtering no one. I wonder if this Hungarian has a history of attacking Orban and the Hungarian government for doing the exact same thing as Trump, building walls and keeping out undesirable ‘migrants’ to keep their country and people safe?
Sorry but I have never heard of this apparently talented musician.
And probably 99% not even knowing who this guy is.
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