Krystian Zimerman's shocking Disney Hall debut

McCoy 27 | 1268

27 Apr 2009 / #1

latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2009/04/krystian-zimermans-shocking-walt-disney-concert-hall-debut.html

Krystian Zimerman's shocking Disney Hall debut

Before playing the final work on his recital, Karol Szymanowski's "Variations on a Polish Folk Theme," Zimerman sat silently at the piano for a moment, almost began to play, but then turned to the audience. In a quiet but angry voice that did not project well, he indicated that he could no longer play in a country whose military wants to control the whole world.

"Get your hands off of my country," he said. He also made reference to the U.S. military detention camp in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

miranda

27 Apr 2009 / #2

it appears that he has had some major problems with the US concerts in the past. I guess he was just honest. Good for him.

Barney 18 | 1697

28 Apr 2009 / #3

guardian.co.uk/music/2009/apr/28/krystian-zimerman-missile-defence-poland - Polish pianist stops show with anti-US tirade

Krystian Zimerman, the great Polish concert pianist, is usually a man of few words.....
he raised his voice ......
on Sunday night and announced he would no longer perform in the United States ...........
"Get your hands off my country," Zimerman told the stunned crowd in a denunciation of US plans to install a missile defence shield on Polish soil.

SRK85 - | 72

28 Apr 2009 / #4

Thats funny but do most Poles agree with the missile defense shield or they against it?

Miru 1 | 24

28 Apr 2009 / #5

I think americans need some geographical globes. Whoever came up with a shield in Poland must've been looking at a flat map if they didn't realise that Arabs can simply shoot their missiles in the opposite direction.

The issue of the missile base can be discussed in [U.S. Missile Base in Poland----Your thoughts?]

plk123 8 | 4119

28 Apr 2009 / #6

sweet.

Polonius3 980 | 12275

28 Apr 2009 / #7

America has long been the arsenal of democracy, not a colonial power the likes of Britain or France. No, it's not perfect. Everything man-made is flawed. But when all is said and done, if you had to choose one power to play the dominant role in the world, would you choose China, Russia, Venezuela, India, Germany, Brazil or something else?

Pani_Polska - | 89

28 Apr 2009 / #8

Great topic! I believe he has a point but I think he may have chose the wrong time to express his sentiment... However, it definitely brought him media attention! The missle shield frightens me, I'd hate to see the Russian government try to wiggle their way back into Poland again.

Barney 18 | 1697

29 Apr 2009 / #9

If I read correctly The US impounded his piano then destroyed it because the glue smelled funny.

America has long been the arsenal of democracy

Long live democracy

RubasznyRumcajs 5 | 495

29 Apr 2009 / #10

great. people came for hearing his concert, not for hearing his political views and opinions. if he likes, he could express them in interview.

pawian 221 | 26094

29 Apr 2009 / #11

Exactly. It is like a surgeon, who instead of starting an operation, gives a political speech over the operating table and you on it.

If an artist of any sort resorts to such things, it means he/she is finished artistically and feels compelled to attract people`s attention in another way.

Salomon 2 | 436

30 Apr 2009 / #12

The Guardian: Why pianist Krystian Zimerman was right to speak out
guardian.co.uk/music/tomserviceblog/2009/apr/28/pianist-krystian-zimerman

Polish pianist Krystian Zimerman's political speech during his debut recital at Walt Disney Hall in Los Angeles shocked his Californian audience. He told the Americans to "Get your hands off my country", before he played Polish composer Karol Szymanowski's Variations on a Polish Theme

When I met Zimerman last year to interview him for Music Matters, I asked him if he really thought this kind of protest was the best way of making a point. His answer was that he couldn't in good conscience play to an audience in a country whose political leaders he disagreed with, without making some kind of stand. Zimerman isn't naïve enough to think that his way of speaking out is going to change US policy in Eastern Europe. But he feels his music making can only speak to listeners who understand where he's coming from.

southern 73 | 7059

30 Apr 2009 / #13

“Get your hands off of my country,” he said

The Poles have guts.