The Orchester symphonique de Montréal has finally decided to cancel the concerts of the young Russian pianist Alexander Malofeev, which were scheduled for March 9, 10 and 13, given “the extent of the serious repercussions on the civilian population of the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian army”.
“The OSM considers that it would be inappropriate to welcome Mr. Malofeev this week. However, we continue to believe that it is important to maintain our relations with artists, whatever their nationality, who carry messages of peace and hope, and hope to be able to welcome this exceptional artist when the context is right. will lend,” the OSM said in a statement.
The OSM is following in the footsteps of the Vancouver Recital Society, which also canceled the concert by the young prodigy which was to take place at the Orpheum theater on August 2.
Leila Getz, the founder and artistic director of the Vancouver Recital Society, explained that “the last thing she wanted was to invite the 20-year-old pianist to the Orpheum theater and find him surrounded by rowdy protesters,” in an interview with Canadian Press.
It is, however, the third time that she has had to cancel a visit by the pianist, the first two cancellations having been linked to the COVID 19 pandemic.
Discomfort in positioning
Alexander Malofeev for his part, went there earlier this week from this comment on his Facebook page. “Honestly, the only thing I can do right now is pray and cry. It would seem that there are obvious conclusions: no problem can be solved in war, people cannot be judged by their nationality”.
The young pianist also said he was uncomfortable with the many calls from journalists asking him to make statements about the conflict.
“I feel very uncomfortable about this and I also believe it may affect my family in Russia. I still believe that Russian culture, and music in particular, should not be tarnished by such a tragedy, even if it is impossible to stay away from it at this time”. He adds: “All I know is that spreading hate is not going to improve the situation, it will only cause more suffering.”
Earlier last week, the OSM had nevertheless expressed its intention to maintain the series of concerts by the young Russian pianist, precisely on the basis of his position in the conflict. “The OSM undertakes not to invite any artist from Russia or any other nationality who openly supports the current president of Russia or his regime. Pianist Alexander Malofeev, only 20, has so far shown no public signs of support for Vladimir Putin. On the contrary, a message he relayed recently on his Instagram account makes it clear that he opposes the war and that he is distancing himself from the regime in place in Moscow, so we believe that he can always join the OSM despite the current context,” OSM publicist Michèle-Andrée Lanoue told Le Devoir on March 3.
Today, the OSM musicians and conductor Michael Tilson Thomas highlight their excellent collaboration with Mr. Malofeev despite the situation prevailing in Ukraine for two weeks:
“I was so happy to work for the first time with the extraordinary young pianist Alexander Malofeev in Montreal. It is unfortunate that political situations have made this impossible. It will be a joy to collaborate with him in the near future,” said conductor Michael Tilson Thomas.
The OSM will make a donation in support of the Ukrainian people.