Int’l Conductor Raps Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine

Paris, May 7 (Jiji Press)–Paavo Jarvi, a world-renowned conductor from Estonia set to receive a Japanese government honor, has condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in a recent written interview with Jiji Press. Calling the Russian aggression “the destruction of cultural life,” Jarvi said, “Musicians should take a stand and act according to their beliefs.” Meanwhile, Jarvi expressed gratitude for a Japanese government decision to award him the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, in recognition of his contributions to musical exchanges between Japan and Estonia, as well as to the development of music culture in Japan. “I am deeply honored and sincerely grateful,” Jarvi said. Jarvi, who served as chief conductor of the NHK Symphony Orchestra for some seven years to August 2022, said, “Japan has held a very special place in my musical life for many years.” “Japanese audiences are known worldwide for their attentive listening and genuine musical appreciation,” he said, adding that this creates “a unique connection” between performers and listeners. Asked about the invasion, which led to the exclusion of a conductor close to Russian President Vladimir Putin from the Western music world, Jarvi said that while not everyone from a country at war is responsible, “those who support or are tied to such regimes should not be given cultural platforms.” “Culture isn’t neutral when it’s used to legitimize power,” said the 63-year-old conductor, although he stressed that he performs and loves Russian music. War “distorts priorities everywhere,” he stated. “Even democratic societies end up diverting money away from what actually matters–culture, education, health care, music–and (pouring it) into the military.” Stressing that musicians are part of their communities and share the same responsibilities as others, Jarvi argued, “The idea that their role is limited only to creating music, without engaging in social issues, is too narrow.” Jarvi is set to tour Yokohama, Tokyo, Nagoya and Osaka from May 17 to 23 as chief conductor of Switzerland’s Zurich Tonhalle Orchestra. The orchestra will perform Tchaikovsky and Bruckner symphonies and give joint performances with Japanese pianist Kyohei Sorita. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]