Disappointment for the young pianist.
Already dismissed by the Vancouver Recital Society as to his coming in August, now Alexander Malofeev sees his concerts scheduled for March canceled by the Orchester symphonique de Montréal.
In particular, he was to perform
Sergei Prokofiev 's
Piano Concerto No. 3 there.
Despite
"the excellent collaboration with Mr. Malofeev"
, the Canadian institution justifies its decision in a press release, because of
"the extent of the serious repercussions on the civilian population of the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian army
".
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“The Orchestra feels that it would be inappropriate to host Mr. Malofeev this week.
However, we continue to believe that it is important to maintain our relations with artists, whatever their nationality, who carry messages of peace and hope, and hope to be able to welcome this exceptional artist when the context is right. lend to "
Statement by the Orchester symphonique de Montréal in a press release.
The American conductor Michael Tilson Thomas does not hide his disappointment.
“I was so happy to work for the first time with the extraordinary young pianist Alexander Malofeev in Montreal
, he laments.
It is unfortunate that political situations have made this impossible.
It will be a joy to collaborate with him in the near future”.
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Faced with these cascading cancellations, the young prodigy finds himself confronted with requests from journalists, wishing him to speak about the ongoing conflict.
“I feel very uncomfortable about this and I also believe it can affect my family in Russia.
(…) Honestly, the only thing I can do now is pray and cry,”
he wrote on his Facebook page.
To date, the pianist has shown no sign of support for Vladimir Putin's actions, but rather hints at his hostility.
“The most important thing now is to stop the blood.
All I know is that spreading hate won't help, it will only cause more pain
. "
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However, the Orchester symphonique de Montréal maintains its entire program, without the performances of Alexander Malofeev, who will not be replaced.
As a mark of support, the institution also plans to make a donation to the Ukrainian people.
