Russian pianist Boris Berezovsky provoked global outrage by calling for the cessation of support for Ukraine and the blocking of electricity in Kiev.
“I understand that we take pity on them and do things delicately (...), but will we not be able to cut off their biography?” On March 10, the Russian television program of the Pervy Kanal (Kremlin Appin) network declared this famous classical music player.
The pianist said that he was talking about Kiev.
One soldier who participated in the program said: “We are not responsible for humanitarian catastrophes.” I replied that.
Venezuelan pianist Gabriela Montera called these statements “a tremendous disappointment” on Twitter, adding that “musical greatness is not always accompanied by empathy.”
Lars Vogt, the music director of the Paris Chamber Orchestra, pianist and head of the orchestra, reacted more harshly. “I can't believe what my ex-friend Boris B said, but they came out of their mouths. The friendship is over.” I wrote on Twitter.
Finnish-Ukrainian conductor Dahlia Stasevska responded with “overcoming cynicism.”
Boris Berezovsky, 53 years old, said: “What the media says is pure lies.”
“We must win this war and make something wonderful and friendly in that country (...) and the truth will eventually reach out to people. One year from now, the truth would have triumphed.” This pianist, who won the International Competition in Tchaikovsky in 1990, said.
Since the beginning of the invasion, artists considered to be associated with Vladimir Putin, such as conductor Valery Gergiev or soprano Anna Netrebko, have been declared Persona Vigrata in most Western theaters.