Posted on 04/28/2009 6:14:51 AM PDT by EricTheRed_VocalMinority
Stories like this from the L.A. Times Culture Monster blog just steam me. For those of you not familiar with classical music, Krystian Zimerman is a renowned Polish pianist. As a classical music neophyte, I have a number of his recordings on my iPod—Brahms, Liszt, Rachmaninov.
At least I did until this article came out yesterday. When Zimerman appeared Sunday at Walt Disney Concert Hall, he stunned a half-cheering, half-booing audience when this occurred:
Before playing the final work on his recital, Karol Szymanowski’s “Variations on a Polish Folk Theme,” Zimerman sat silently at the piano for a moment, almost began to play, but then turned to the audience. In a quiet but angry voice that did not project well, he indicated that he could no longer play in a country whose military wants to control the whole world.
“Get your hands off of my country,” he said. He also made reference to the U.S. military detention camp in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
About 30 or 40 people in the audience walked out, some shouting obscenities. “Yes,” he answered, “some people when they hear the word military start marching.”
Others remained but booed or yelled for him to shut up and play the piano. But many more cheered. Zimerman responded by saying that America has far finer things to export than the military, and he thanked those who support democracy.
Um, wouldn’t that be the United State that support democracy, Mr. Zimerman? It certainly wasn’t any other country! So who exactly were you thanking? Who the hell has spilled their blood and expended more treasure to support democracy than the country you just chided? To paraphrase several commenters at the LA Times
(Excerpt) Read more at vocalminority.typepad.com ...
Yank his visa immediately.
If I was surprised like that at a concert I’d be demanding my money back.
Wake up, ye of insufficient knowledge. Hating America has been TAUGHT in your schools, behind your backs, for the past 40 years. That training is now bearing fruit. Go ahead, shut the barn door....but there ain’t any horses around.
Yes, it's rhetorical.
I'll go even further. I'll predict that this won't be his last U.S. tour. That in a couple of years, when it's time to hit the golden trail again and rake in some bucks, he'll have a change of heart and say that Obama's made everything all better now.
As an Anglo-American. I am tired of racist hate crimes and hate speech from the far left majority. We Anglo-Americans need to organize and fight the power of discrimination in the government. I might even join the NAAAA! National Association for Advancement of Anglo-Americans. Just say Naaaa to discriminatory taxes. I am sick and tired of being discriminated against.
And Mr. Z, exactly what the heck are you talking about anyway? American is not occupying Poland or fighting against Poland or anything like that. In fact, if it were not for us, Mr. Z, you would like be speaking German right now.
So just shut up and play, you nincompoop.
“Even classical artists” is where the assumption is incorrect. Classical artists are WAY to the left, and pride themselves on that. Been to the opera lately? There is nothing BUT left-wing political blathering, overlaid onto the sublime music of Mozart, even Bach! Hung around with musicians recently?
This guy was a toad! People should have demanded their money back! Pull his visa. He can play where the Dixie Chicks play. Oh, and he did this 2 years ago too? But has come back money-grubbing? Well, there’s a position that really comes from the heart.
Stereotypical behavior for bad guests. Tell the host that dinner was lousy when you're leaving.
I enjoy accasionally listening to classical music, but I won't be putting any money in this guy's pocket.
This guy must be one of the few communists left in Poland. The Polish leader (forget his name) wants the missile shield in Poland (which GWB promised). The Polish government is very pro-american/pro-capitalist and is worried about BHO not keeping the promise of the missile shield.
Therefore this pianist must be one of Poland’s loud-mouthed liberal celebrities - like the kind we have here.
Too bad some in the audience cheered what he said :( Very funny that he got lots of boos. LOL
The classical music crowd hates Republicans especially, since the Pubbies want the arts to stand on their own merits. The PBS pledge-breakers want money from the sky, delivered through government to support orchestras that not enough people will pay for tickets to see.
Who cares what he thinks? Even Plato scoffed about artisans possessing some sort of dumb-luck ability to produce beauty and confusing it as an ability to understand Truth.
I can personally attest to the veracity of this statement having made a living in classical music for 20 years. Classical musicians claim to be dedicated to their art, but have no problem with putting their hand into the pockets of those who couldn't care less about classical music in order to enrich themselves. They have huge egos that rival any of the most spoiled and self-possessed of Hollywood starlets, and believe themselves to be the elite of the planet, deserving superstar lifestyles at your expense.
Frankly, with a few exceptions, most are talented, but not supremely talented. They are workmen who need to make a living in the usual fashion - getting paid by the people for whom they work. This means that concertgoers and CD buyers should be the only ones who pay for their services. The National Endowment for the Arts is typical sociialism and supports the least talented. Its budget should be zeroed out.
Just following the lead of the POTUS.
Of course both are ingrateful bs artists. That goes without saying I would think.
Ironic considering the history of his country. Guess he's forgotten the Katyn massacre of his countrymen.
Bboop - I did not know that about the opera scene, which I am not much into. I am a contemporary musician by profession, and am well aware that I am the *only* one on the right.
If it wasn’t for the US this clown would still be under commie control in Poland. He should just go home and shut up.
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