(Photo: Marco Borggreve)
Lahav Shani is finally speaking out following a canceled concert at the Festival Flanders in Ghent over his position as Music Director of the Israel Philharmonic.
In a statement the conductor said, “Over the last days, I found myself along with two of the orchestras dearest to my heart, the Munich Philharmonic and the Israel Philharmonic, unwillingly swept into an unexpected public storm that quickly escalated into a diplomatic incident. The outcry followed a regrettable decision by Ghent Festival’s organizers to cancel this week’s opening concert, to be performed by the Munich Philharmonic under my baton.”
“The festival’s management acted under the pretense that ‘music should be a source of connection and reconciliation,’ as quoted in the media, but in doing so, they emptied this statement of all meaning, yielding to political pressures, demanding that I make a political declaration despite my long standing and publicly expressed commitment to peace and reconciliation. From the moment the concert’s cancellation was announced, I received messages of support and encouragement, both privately and publicly, that moved me deeply. First and foremost, I am grateful to the musicians of the Munich Philharmonic and its leadership for their unwavering support, which filled me with even greater pride to be part of this orchestra. Standing alongside were the Mayor and the Cultural Deputy of the City of Munich, officials from the German and Bavarian government, as well as colleagues from Germany, Europe, Israel, and around the world. It was also profoundly meaningful that the Prime Minister of Belgium expressed his solidarity by attending our concert last Saturday in Essen. Finally, I feel very honored that the German Federal President invited me yesterday to Schloss Bellevue.”
He added “On October 7, 2023, Israel experienced a horrific and unprecedented event. Like many others, I feared immediately for my life and for the lives of those close to me. No Israeli was untouched by these events. Israeli society continues to mourn the consequences of Hamas’s inhumane attack and longing for the return of 48 civilians who are still held hostage in unbearable conditions. Yet, I, like many Israelis, have not abandoned my human values. The images and testimonies coming out of Gaza are deeply distressing, and it is impossible to remain indifferent to the suffering of civilians in Gaza amidst the catastrophe this war has brought upon them. Everything must be done to end the war as soon as possible and begin the long process of healing and rebuilding for both societies.”
“I was entrusted with the musical leadership of the Israel Philharmonic after a long line of some of the greatest and most humanitarian musicians, like Arturo Toscanini, who conducted the orchestra’s very first musicians – Jewish refugees who had managed to flee Europe – Leonard Bernstein, and Zubin Mehta. The Israel Philharmonic is a unique example of the freedom artists should have to perform, as from its founding it has been governed by its musicians. Under their guidance, the advancement of classical music has always gone hand in hand with efforts to connect people within Israel and between Israel and the world. Last night, on Monday, September 15th, the Munich Philharmonic and myself performed at the Musikfest Berlin, an invitation we received in response to the cancellation in Ghent. I wish to thank the Berliner Festspiele and the Berliner Philharmoniker Foundation for their initiative and effort – their gesture is incredibly moving to all of us at the Munich Philharmonic. It is the perfect example of the power of music – to connect people, not divide them.”
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