The German violinist has told BR-Klassik that they really need her in America. She has no intention of joining the Tetzlaff-Schiff boycott:
BR-KLASSIK: You’ve toured the US quite frequently. Entering the country has suddenly become a political issue. Have you noticed a change in the political mood?
A-SM: I traveled to the USA in April to play recitals with Lambert Orkis. And recently I was back there for a tour with Pablo Ferrández and Yefim Bronfman. During our recital tour, Lambert and I had the impression that music is more important than ever in America. A program like that, with Mozart and a Schubert Fantasy, isn’t exactly easy listening, but the audience was incredibly focused and almost desperately passionate. We also played at two universities and spoke with the deans afterward. They all spoke passionately about the connection to Germany and Europe and about the absolutely necessary cultural dialogue.
BR-KLASSIK: The universities are under a lot of pressure from Trump.
Anne-Sophie Mutter: Exactly. The deans were grateful that this exchange still exists, that we’re not tarring everyone with the same brush, and that it still exists for us in Europe. We mustn’t forget: 48 percent of Americans would have preferred a different political decision. I believe that it’s especially important now to keep the dialogue open with artists and people who are suffering greatly under the situation. Music is indeed still the bridge. It creates a space where we can meet and become one, regardless of our political opinions. And we mustn’t forget that cultural funding is privately held. We naturally hope that this private sector will continue to act philanthropically and that, if we only talk about art now, we’ll get through the next few years.
BR-KLASSIK: Violinist Christian Tetzlaff is currently no longer giving concerts in the USA; pianist András Schiff has joined in . Can you understand such an attitude, even if it’s not your path?
Anne-Sophie Mutter: You really have to consistently pursue such an attitude. And we also have to clean up our own backyard. Where do I begin to rise above political systems and say I don’t care about the people there? That’s not my path at the moment. I want the path of openness.
BR-KLASSIK: And what about Russia?
Anne-Sophie Mutter: Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine is absolutely out of the question for me. You have to weigh things up. It’s a very personal decision….
More here.
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