PERSBERICHT
PIANISTEN WERELDTOP HEKELEN CULTUURBEZUINIGINGEN
Amsterdam, 17 november 2010 - Pianisten die zich mogen rekenen tot de absolute wereldtop laten zich kritisch uit over de voorgenomen cultuurbezuinigingen van het Nederlandse kabinet. Op verzoek van Steinway Artists United, een groep van 18 vooraanstaande Nederlandse pianisten onder wie Ronald Brautigam en Rian de Waal, reageren zij op de forse bezuinigingsmaatregelen zoals de aanzienlijke korting op kunstsubsidie en de opheffing van het Muziekcentrum van de Omroep. Volgens de meesterpianisten zullen de plannen van het kabinet Rutte-Verhagen onherstelbare schade toebrengen aan de unieke positie die Nederland in de wereld op cultureel gebied inneemt.
"Holland has an impressive international reputation as a cultural centre in Europe and the world and this should be cherished and protected", aldus Evgeny Kissin. De algemene verontwaardiging van de artiesten is groot. Zo schrijft icoon Radu Lupu: "This massive attack against these institutions represents a horrifying and heartless act of destruction on an unprecedented scale and will lead to a considerable impoverishment of Dutch and European culture." Andere grootheden die reageren zijn Daniel Barenboim, Murray Perahia, Lang Lang, Mitsuko Uchida, Menahem Pressler, Jean-Yves Thibaudet, Nelson Freire en Ivan Moravec. De volledige citaten zijn te lezen op
CITATEN
'It is a big shock to learn about the plans to destruct such an important pillar of the internationally highly esteemed Dutch cultural life. The consequences will reach much further than one can imagine. Arts & culture are vital and crucial elements within a community and it should always be protected by its government. I support this initiative and would like to encourage the Dutch government to act responsible towards these jewels of artistic life and heritage.'
Murray Perahia, pianist
London, UK
'It has come to my attention that the Dutch government has decided to cut its support of Dutch Performing Arts. If this decision becomes a reality, it will undermine Dutch musical life as a whole. Without culture there cannot be an ethical base to society, and therefore dismantling cultural institutions inevitably means impoverishing the quality of life of the citizens. I can only hope it is not too late to stop this recklessness.'
Daniel Barenboim, pianist and conductor
Berlin, Germany
'I fully support the statement of Steinway Artists United. Please do not harm the Dutch Performing Arts in such way. Holland has an impressive international reputation as a cultural centre in Europe and the world and this should be cherished and protected.'
Evgeny Kissin, pianist
Paris, France
'Music gives hope and improves the lives of everyone it touches. It makes us better people and inspires us to achieve our boldest dreams. I simply can't imagine a new generation of Dutch children growing up without orchestras and choirs! These powerful yet fragile institutions make an immeasurable contribution to society that is far greater than the funding they require. We have all experienced tough times when difficult decisions must be made, but to dispense with something so vital will only make matters worse, both in the short and the long run. I hope that those in charge will remember all those times in their lives when music made them feel better and will use their authority wisely to protect Holland's great musical heritage from destruction.' Lang Lang, pianist
USA
'The present Dutch Government has declared its intention to brutally end the existence of all the Radio Orchestras and Choir. In addition to this, the life of the Residentie Orchestra in The Hague is threatened in the same way (it is one of the oldest orchestras in the country, with a rich past, having survived two world wars). This massive attack against these institutions represents a horrifying and heartless act of destruction on an unprecedented scale and will lead to a considerable impoverishment of Dutch and European culture. I just hope it won't happen!'
Radu Lupu, pianist
London, UK
'At the centre of liberal Dutch culture lies a deep-rooted tradition in the visual arts and music. For the Netherlands to lose any of its radio orchestras would be a body blow to the heart of Dutch society. This must not be allowed to happen.'
Mitsuko Uchida, pianist
London, UK
'I'm aghast at the news and the radical way in which the new government seems to kill that which makes Holland an outstanding place to live and to perform there! While the quality of music making in Holland with those orchestras and choruses have been above many famous orchestras in other countries. It is my duty as an artist, and in a way feeling so close to Holland and to the Dutch people, to protest this edict of the new government. A great country deserves great art. And all of you - either by performing or by enabling performances in Holland - have contributed something that made life in Holland especially desirable and gratifying so that no one ever had to ask "Is that all that there is to living?'
Menahem Pressler, pianist
USA
'The extraordinary tradition, richness and unique level of musical life in Holland has been for many decades an inspiration for artists and audiences alike. As we all know, Performing Arts, including music, form a fundamental and essential part of society. Any attempt to impoverish it by cutting any of its financial support would be a catastrophe of enormous consequences for the future. Every government has a responsibility to cherish and protect vulnerable art forms from the past, and make sure that generations to come can continue to have their lives enriched by it for many more decades ahead.'
Jean-Yves Thibaudet, pianist
Paris, France
'With absolute conviction I put my signature under the statement against the plans of the Dutch government to impoverish the Dutch artistic life. I must say that Dutch culture always was the jewel of Europe - to destroy it, it is murder.'
Ivan Moravec, pianist
Prague, Czech Republic
'Dutch cultural life has been rich and versatile for many years. Both in its scope and quality it belongs to the very best in the world. Over the course of many years, with the dedication of a great number of people and supported by our government, this has been built up. Now with these proposed budget cuts, totally out of proportion for the Arts, this whole cultural infrastructure is in danger. It is not right, it is unfair and it is very stupid as well. I hope there will be protests from every possible corner of our society and that these materialistic politicians who think they can kill the Arts because it is not making enough profits, are stopped before they can carry out this agenda.'
Rian de Waal, pianist
The Netherlands
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