(11 Feb 2000) English/Nat

A Hungarian pianist has cancelled a performance at the Austrian embassy in Washington and is calling on other artists to follow suit.

Andras Schiff said it was his moral duty to protest against the formation of a government that includes the far-right party of Joerg Haider.

In a letter to the embassy, Schiff said that are and politics can't be separated.

Pianist Andras Schiff has canceled a performance scheduled for Wednesday night at the Austrian Embassy in Washington to protest the formation of a government that includes a far-right party. ``As a citizen of Austria, but also as a European Jew, I am deeply distressed and appalled by the recent political events in the country,'' Schiff wrote in a handwritten letter to the embassy sent last week. ``The rise of Jorg Haider in a country whose role in the Holocaust still awaits clarification - it's more than worrying, it's shameful and unforgivable,'' Schiff wrote. ``Politics and art are not really separable. Those who disagree should remember the times when the works of Heine, Mendelssohn and others were thrown into the flames.'' Schiff, 46, a native of Budapest, Hungary, is one of the leading interpreters of Bach. He gave two recitals at Lincoln Center last week.

He's one of the leading interpreters of Bach and his music last week graced Lincoln Centre.

But on Wednesday night, the piano he would have been playing at Austria's embassy in the American capital was silent.

In a handwritten letter to the embassy, Schiff cancelled his recital in protest of Joerg Haider's inclusion in the Austrian government.

To Schiff the matter is clear.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"We artists, we do have a moral duty here. We must show an example, we cannot just pretend to continue business as usual, and the show must go on. Music is about ideals and art is about the highest moral values and we have to set an example."
SUPER CAPTION: Andras Schiff, Pianist

Schiff, a native of Hungary, has lived in Austria for 13 years, and is a citizen of both countries.

In World War II, his parents were deported from Debrecen, Hungary, to a forced labour camp in Austria.

Schiff says he has no resentment toward Austria or Austrians, but he is wary about Nazi sentiment being rekindled in the heart of Europe.

Schiff says that although his was a personal decision, he hopes other musicians will follow his example.

SOUNDBITE: (Hungarian)
"This is a type of protest, personal protest on my behalf for which I don't attribute too much significance, but for me it's important, and I'm convinced of its correctness. Whether or not my colleagues think the same, I hope they follow suit, but I can't dictate to them."
SUPER CAPTION: Andras Schiff, Pianist

Schiff, who is Jewish, wrote that the rise of Haider "in a country whose role in the Holocaust still awaits clarification" is both shameful and unforgivable.

He also has similar concerns for Hungary, where the current center-right government of Viktor Orban is supported by an extremist right-wing party.

The Hungarian government does not fully agree with the E-U's diplomatic shutout of Austria.

SOUNDBITE: (Hungarian)
"This is a very good warning sign for Hungary that if it wants to become a part of the European Union, then it must tackle with these elements and tendencies in its countries."
SUPER CAPTION: Andras Schiff, Pianist

It remains to be seen, however, whether that same sentiment will motivate other artists to use their political power against the new Austrian government.


The barriers are broken down by personal point of view.



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