Repertoire Change for Peace

Posted on by

February 26, 2022

Dear SLS Members, Patrons, and Community Supporters;

After conversations with the Salt Lake Symphony Board, selected community members, industry professionals, and one member of the Ukrainian-American community, I have decided to replace Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 12 on the March 19th concert. As events unfolded this week in Ukraine, it became increasingly clear that performing the piece could easily send the wrong message. Considering the situation there, the work is likely the most uncomfortable of all Shostakovich’s oeuvre to be performing today.

As you may know, the piece, subtitled “The Year 1917”, is a celebration of the Russian Revolution, Lenin, and the Soviet people in general. Presenting this work has always been complicated in the West, but it became untenable with the recent aggression by Russia towards Ukraine, especially considering Vladimir Putin’s recent remarks about returning to the old Soviet borders. Playing a work dedicated to the glory of the old Soviet Union simply feels wrong at a time when empathy and concern for the victims of war are of paramount importance.

The concert hall should never be a political platform, but we must nonetheless be cognizant of what we present on stage. When I programmed the symphony last summer, the situation was quite different, of course. Please know that I do not make this decision lightly and realize that many of the musicians were looking forward to performing the work, as I was towards conducting it. Programming good music for our musicians is one of my favorite tasks, and it is never easy to change the planned repertoire.

It is with enthusiasm that I announce the replacement will be Beethoven’s Symphony No. 1 in C Major. This wonderful, ebullient work was already shelved this season due to the pandemic, so it is good to allow it to see light once again. I sincerely look forward to working on it with the musicians. The remainder of the program remains the same, Schubert’s Overture to Die Zauberharfe and the world premiere of Andrew Maxfield’s Snowdrifts.

I am deeply grateful for the trust given me as music director and never take such decisions without careful deliberation. I appreciate the input of many and value your understanding of the situation.

In Solidarity,

Rob

_________________________

Robert Baldwin, D.M.A.

Music Director, Salt Lake Symphony

(Images via Banksy Facebook page)

2 thoughts on “Repertoire Change for Peace”

  1. The Feb. 26 concert of the New Mexico Philharmonic switched Rachmaninov’s 2nd piano concerto for Prokofiev’s 1st (Prokofiev being native to Donetsk), plus the end of Mussorgsky’s “Pictures at an Exhibition” with the Great Gate of Kiev theme. A piano solo version of Rach’s “Vocalise” made a poignant beginning to the program.
    The soloist was Ukrainian pianist Alexander Gavrylyuk, who gave his all and then some. The audience went nuts. Someone yelled ‘VIVA UKRAINE!” from the back of the hall.
    They did keep Shostakovich’s 10th symphony for the second half, as it is in part a repudiation of Stalin.
    Best wishes for your concert.

    Reply ↓

Leave a comment