Two classical masters boycotting US over Trump to perform in Korea
Two prominent classical musicians who recently canceled performances in the US in protest of its President Donald Trump are set to perform in South Korea this spring.
Eminent pianist and conductor Andras Schiff, 71, will perform with his Cappella Andrea Barca ensemble at the Daegu Concert House on Friday and at the Seoul Arts Center Concert Hall on Sunday.
Founded in 1999 by Schiff, the ensemble comprises soloists and chamber musicians who perform internationally and are unaffiliated with any single orchestra. With Schiff recently announcing the ensemble's disbandment, this tour will be Capella Andrea Barca's final appearance in Korea.
Meanwhile, celebrated German violinist Christian Tetzlaff, 58, will return to Korea for the first time in two years, performing May 1 at the Seoul Arts Center and May 2 at the Busan Cultural Center. Tetzlaff, who served as the Seoul Philharmonic's artist-in-residence in 2019, has remained closely connected with Korean audiences.
The two artists share a united stance: Both canceled their US engagements in protest against the US president.
Regarding his decision to cancel 22 US performances planned through April, Tetzlaff said in a recent interview with Korean media outlets that it was not an easy decision, but it is one he stands by.
'With the current administration and the fear that's spreading across US — and even Europe — I cannot justify performing there,' he said. 'Music is not just entertainment. It represents compassion, empathy and the fight for freedom and individuality. These values are currently being cast aside in the US, and I cannot in good conscience go there, perform and pay taxes to that state.'
Tetzlaff, referring to Beethoven's "Eroica" symphony, said, 'It was originally meant to be dedicated to Napoleon, who stood for the ideals of the French Revolution. But when he declared himself emperor, Beethoven felt betrayed and withdrew the dedication. We need to remain vigilant against similar betrayals of democracy happening in the US today.' He emphasized that his decision is not about partisan politics, but about defending human rights.
Born in 1953 to a Jewish family in Budapest, Hungary, Schiff has also refused to perform in either Hungary or Russia, in protest against authoritarianism and Russia's invasion of Ukraine, respectively. Since Viktor Orban's return to power in 2010, he has not set foot in his homeland, having even received threats that he would 'lose his hands' if he returned.
In a March 19 interview with The New York Times, Schiff cited Trump's admonishment of Ukraine, expansionist threats involving Canada, Greenland and Gaza, as well as support for far-right politicians in Germany. He condemned Trump's call for mass deportations, which he said painfully echoed efforts to expel Jews during World War II.
'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 told The New York Times.
At the upcoming concerts, Schiff and Cappella Andrea Barca will present Bach's Keyboard Concertos Nos. 3 and 7, Mozart's Symphony No. 40, the "Don Giovanni" overture and Piano Concerto No. 20.
Tetzlaff's recital program includes Four Pieces for Violin and Piano by Austrian composer Josef Suk, Brahms' Violin Sonata No. 3, Szymanowski's Myths and Cesar Franck's Violin Sonata. Suk has been a particular focus of Tetzlaff's recent work: The violinist has recorded the composer's Violin Concerto and Piano Quintet and has performed his string quartets in recent seasons.
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