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Ukraine
Posted by :Lee Denham on February 28, 2022, 9:50 am
The Musicweb Messageboard is not a place where political opinions, nor comment on world events should take place, however it is difficult to ignore what is happening in Ukraine at this present time. As such, attached below is a short Youtube clip showing Riccardo Muti from last week, eloquently dedicating that evening's performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony to the people of Ukraine, views I am sure are shared by many (and no doubt all) who contribute to and read Musicweb International. For those who may not be able to access the clip, this is what he said:
"Good Evening. The stage (on) which we make music, should never be a place for political announcement, or statements - we make music that means joy and peace. But, we cannot play this symphony dedicated to joy and brotherhood, without thinking of the people and sufferance of Ukraine [prolongued applause]. Just a few years ago, I conducted a concert for friendship in Kyiv and I found wonderful, happy people. What we are seeing on television [today] is horrible .... and tonight in the final movement of the symphony, Beethoven - taking the text from Schiller - he speaks about joy, joy, joy. But we will think in that moment, that joy without peace cannot exist. And so I hope from this wonderful hall, from the orchestra, from the chorus, from you, a message should arrive to not only all the people in Ukraine, but also in the world, that those who are creating violence, hate and a strange need for war, we are against all that."
Re: Ukraine
Posted by Ford on February 28, 2022, 11:51 pm, in reply to "Ukraine"
Thanks for posting this, Lee.
Re: Ukraine
Posted by Marc Bridle on March 2, 2022, 2:58 am, in reply to "Ukraine"
I have just reviewed a concert given by the London Philharmonic (for S&H) which was prefaced by a short speech given by the orchestra's Artistic Director, Elena Dubinets. She is Moscow-born but married to a Ukrainian and she condemned the war "instigated by the government of my native country against the people of his native country". It was a sentiment that united a capacity audience – which would have been by no means all British – in the Royal Festival Hall, before the Ukrainian national anthem was played. Dubinets, too, made clear the uncomfortable relationship between political statements and the music platform but this was an all the more meaningful message of support to the Ukrainian people because of her own relationship to current events.
And, I really do hope in the coming weeks and months that audiences will be gracious and respectful towards Russian musicians - especially those who have made statements of support for Ukraine - who perform in the United Kingdom (and elsewhere for that matter). I believe it will take some courage for them to play before audiences when the only thing they ever want to do is play music for us. We are largely a tolerant people in this country.
Previous Message
The Musicweb Messageboard is not a place where political opinions, nor comment on world events should take place, however it is difficult to ignore what is happening in Ukraine at this present time. As such, attached below is a short Youtube clip showing Riccardo Muti from last week, eloquently dedicating that evening's performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony to the people of Ukraine, views I am sure are shared by many (and no doubt all) who contribute to and read Musicweb International. For those who may not be able to access the clip, this is what he said:
"Good Evening. The stage (on) which we make music, should never be a place for political announcement, or statements - we make music that means joy and peace. But, we cannot play this symphony dedicated to joy and brotherhood, without thinking of the people and sufferance of Ukraine [prolongued applause]. Just a few years ago, I conducted a concert for friendship in Kyiv and I found wonderful, happy people. What we are seeing on television [today] is horrible .... and tonight in the final movement of the symphony, Beethoven - taking the text from Schiller - he speaks about joy, joy, joy. But we will think in that moment, that joy without peace cannot exist. And so I hope from this wonderful hall, from the orchestra, from the chorus, from you, a message should arrive to not only all the people in Ukraine, but also in the world, that those who are creating violence, hate and a strange need for war, we are against all that."
Re: Ukraine
Posted by Rob Maynard on March 2, 2022, 10:09 pm, in reply to "Re: Ukraine"
On the evening of Tuesday 1 March, I enjoyed a superb birthday treat - a seat at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, where the first of a new series of performances of Swan Lake was being given by the Royal Ballet.
Before the ballet began, the company's director Kevin O'Hare appeared on stage to announce that the Opera House would henceforth be illuminated in the Ukrainian colours blue and yellow and that all performances would be preceded by the Ukrainian national anthem. The audience responded with great enthusiasm.
The evening's star male dancer Vadim Muntagirov is, of course, Russian but has never, as far as I know, expressed any political stance. At the end of the performance, his outstanding performance was cheered to the rafters.
Re: Ukraine
Posted by Terry Hopton on March 3, 2022, 8:02 pm, in reply to "Re: Ukraine"
Vadim Muntagirov became a British citizen about three years ago.
Previous Message
On the evening of Tuesday 1 March, I enjoyed a superb birthday treat - a seat at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, where the first of a new series of performances of Swan Lake was being given by the Royal Ballet.
Before the ballet began, the company's director Kevin O'Hare appeared on stage to announce that the Opera House would henceforth be illuminated in the Ukrainian colours blue and yellow and that all performances would be preceded by the Ukrainian national anthem. The audience responded with great enthusiasm.
The evening's star male dancer Vadim Muntagirov is, of course, Russian but has never, as far as I know, expressed any political stance. At the end of the performance, his outstanding performance was cheered to the rafters.