A 20-year-old Russian pianist who was scheduled to perform with Montreal’s symphony orchestra had his concert cancelled due to pressure from the Ukrainian community and some musicians in light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The Orchestre symphonique de Montréal (OSM) cancelled Alexander Malofeev’s performances scheduled for March 9, 10, and 13, saying that his presence would “not allow the OSM to fulfill its essential mission to ‘convey the universal message that music unites peoples and cultures in a spirit of peace, fellowship, and human solidarity.’”
In a statement on Tuesday, OSM spokesperson Pascale Ouimet said the organization finds it “inappropriate” for Malofeev to perform, though he said the piano prodigy would be welcome to perform at a future time.
“We continue, however, to believe in the importance of maintaining relationships with artists of all nationalities who embrace messages of peace and hope. We look forward to welcoming this exceptional artist when the context allows it.”
Hillel Neuer, an international lawyer and executive director of a human rights NGO UN Watch, spoke out against OSM’s decision, urging it to “stop the mindless mob bigotry.”
Malofeev was also scheduled to perform in Vancouver this August, but that concert was cancelled last week.
Leila Getz, founder and artistic director of the Vancouver Recital Society, had made multiple attempts to book the young pianist, but had to cancel his previous shows due to the COVID-19 pandemic and again last November when she learned he had only received the Sputnik V vaccine, which isn’t accepted in Canada.
But when Russia made its advance on Ukraine, Getz was again forced to call off his performance set for Aug. 2 at the Orpheum Theatre in Vancouver, fearing that it would draw crowds for wrong reasons.
“My concern was for the pianist because I look at all the crazies in the world and I look at what’s going on. The last thing I wanted to do was bring a 20-year-old to the Orpheum in Vancouver and have it surrounded by protesters and have people inside heckling,'' she said.
“Dear Friends, my performances this week with Michael Tilson Thomas and Orchestre symphonique de Montréal-OSM have been canceled. I have already arrived in Montreal. But unfortunately, it is impossible to hold them due to political reasons. I sincerely apologize to the audience,” he wrote.
In anther Facebook post earlier this week, Malofeev said he has been contacted by the media to comment on the Russia-Ukraine conflict but he refused, saying “it can affect my family in Russia.”
“It is very painful for me to see everything that is happening. I have never seen so much hatred going in all directions, in Russia and around the world. Most of the people with whom I have personally communicated these days are guided by only one feeling—fear,” he wrote.
Malofeev said he still believes that Russian culture and music “should not be tarnished by the ongoing tragedy, though it is impossible to stay aside now.”
“It would seem that there are obvious conclusions: no problem can be solved by war, people cannot be judged by their nationality. But why, in a few days, has the whole world rolled back into a state where every person has a choice between fear and hatred?” he wrote.
“The most important thing now is to stop the blood. All I know is that the spread of hatred will not help in any way, but only cause more suffering.”
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