Europe at War

[MusicTurner]

Also, I think Valentin Silvestrov, aged 84, who's made some pro-Ukrainian statements earlier, is among the composers residing in Kyiv. I don't think he's in Germany. This must be very hard for him.

[bhodges]

Carnegie Hall just announced that Yannick Nézet-Séguin is replacing Valery Gergiev as conductor for this weekend's three concerts with the Vienna Philharmonic. In addition, pianist Denis Matsuev will be replaced by another artist TBA.

Information on the first concert below, an all-Rachmaninoff evening:

https://www.carnegiehall.org/calendar/2022/02/25/vienna-philharmonic-orchestra-0800pm

--Bruce

[Florestan]

I'll be blunt and say that Ukraine helds centuries-old Romanian territories which have never ever belonged to it before Lenin and Stalin gave them to Ukraine. But even so, I prefer and support an independent Ukraine as a buffer state between us and Russia to having Russia as our neighbour.

Unfortunately, it seems that Russia is once again our de facto neighbour. Arză-i-ar focul de lifte spurcate! 

[Florestan]

Carnegie Hall just announced that Yannick Nézet-Séguin is replacing Valery Gergiev as conductor for this weekend's three concerts with the Vienna Philharmonic. In addition, pianist Denis Matsuev will be replaced by another artist TBA.

Information on the first concert below, an all-Rachmaninoff evening:

https://www.carnegiehall.org/calendar/2022/02/25/vienna-philharmonic-orchestra-0800pm

--Bruce

Well, that all-Rachmaninoff evening should be replaced as well.

No, really, I mean it: for the time being Russia and Russians* should be ostracized from everything to the greatest possible extent.

* except those who take a firm stance against Putin's paranoiac behaviour.

[Madiel]

Well, that all-Rachmaninoff evening should be replaced as well.

No, really, I mean it: for the time being Russia and Russians* should be ostracized from everything to the greatest possible extent.

* except those who take a firm stance against Putin's paranoiac behaviour.

How do you propose Rachmaninov go about taking a firm stance against Putin?

[Madiel]

For an interesting perspective on what is going on, I give you this:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-25/russia-ukraine-invasion-borders-power-vladimir-putin-identity/100858372

I've seen other things along the same line. There's a kind of nationalism about ancient borders and who 'naturally' belongs there that I find ridiculous, but many people including Putin cling to these kinds of traditions. See also the Serbs who believe Kosovo is inherently Serbian.

[Florestan]

How do you propose Rachmaninov go about taking a firm stance against Putin?

I know and agree it's absurd --- but I can't help it right now being an all-out Russophobe.

[Florestan]

See also the Serbs who believe Kosovo is inherently Serbian.

You couldn"t have chosen a worse example because this is exactly the precedent that Putin invoked.

[Madiel]

I know and agree it's absurd --- but I can't help it right now being an all-out Russophobe.

It is absurd, and is frankly not different to all the things that were directed at people of Asian descent because a certain virus happened to emerge in Wuhan.

I can understand taking the position that living Russians can be impacted, particularly ones that actively support the Russian government. But having a reaction against a person of Russian descent who actually fled the country over a century ago is taking things rather too far. If anything, you're buying into Putin's attempts to claim he represents true Russian culture by associating all Russian culture with his actions.

[Madiel]

You couldn"t have chosen a worse example because this is exactly the precedent that Putin invoked.

That makes it a good example of what's going on, not a bad one.

[vandermolen]

My daughter has many friends in Kyiv dating back to her time working for the MSF charity. They have been told to stay at home but can hear the sounds of explosions - very upsetting. Putin could not stand a genuinely democratic state like Ukraine on the Russian border - a puppet state like Byelorussia is fine.

[Florestan]

If anything, you're buying into Putin's attempts to claim he represents true Russian culture by associating all Russian culture with his actions.

Oh come on! Come on, man!

If anything, you read too much in a gut reaction.

Don't you remember that Rachmaninoff was my avatar for a long time?

[Florestan]

That makes it a good example of what's going on, not a bad one.

Yeah, whatever.

[Florestan]

Russian troops reportedly occupied Chernobyl.

[Madiel]

Oh come on! Come on, man!

If anything, you read too much in a gut reaction.

Don't you remember that Rachmaninoff was my avatar for a long time?

The question is whether you remember. I can only go on what you post here. And you're posting about the removal of Russian music from concerts, without any further context about just how that music is being used or what it represents.

I certainly would have a problem putting on a concert that glorifies the Russian State right now, but to me Rachmaninov simply doesn't evoke that kind of association.

[Florestan]

The question is whether you remember. I can only go on what you post here. And you're posting about the removal of Russian music from concerts, without any further context about just how that music is being used or what it represents.

I certainly would have a problem putting on a concert that glorifies the Russian State right now, but to me Rachmaninov simply doesn't evoke that kind of association.

It's been a busy day. Good night.

[drogulus]

     https://www.youtube.com/v/K6SJEkxQsJU

[JBS]

Via Twitter

Obviously I can't vouch for accuracy of this narrative, but it does seem a Russian attempt to seize this airport near Kyiv was defeated.

BTW, Antonov is the cargo airline/plane manufacturer who owns the airport, while Hostomel/Gostomel is the closest town.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

I am personally curious about Putin's mental condition.
Also I think that the International Judo Federation should censure him and disbar him.

[Dry Brett Kavanaugh]

Opinion on The Guardian: "As a Russian, I don't know how to live with the shame of Putin's aggression," Anonymous Russian.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/feb/24/russian-vladimir-putin-ukraine?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other