Sokolov refuses award

[The new erato]

One of the most highly-regarded pianists of our time, Grigory Sokolov, has refused to accept the Cremona Music Award 2015 because it has previously been awarded to the blogger Norman Lebrecht. A hand-written statement in Italian and Russian on the pianist's website reads:

Sokolov's letter (in Italian)
.
'Dear Mr. Bianchedi, ladies and gentlemen of Comitato Artistico di Cremona Mondomusica e Piano Experience. I refuse to receive the prize, Cremona Music Award 2015.

'According to my ideas about elementary decency, it is shame to be in the same award-winners list with Lebrecht. [Signed] G. Sokolov'

I refuse to post the link since it is so laughably long, but in can be found on the Gramophone website gramophone.co.uk

[Karl Henning]

Bravissimo!

[The new erato]

Bravissimo!

Yes indeed.

[Cato]

Apparently some awards are not something one wants to receive!

e.g.

The Lysenko Prize for Excellence in Biology

The Stalin Award for Human Rights

The George Armstrong Custer Trophy for Achievement in Military Planning

[Karl Henning]

I refuse to post the link since it is so laughably long, but in can be found on the Gramophone website gramophone.co.uk

Here.

[Brian]

I approve heartily!

[mc ukrneal]

I know Lebrecht is polarizing and is a journalist? Can someone summarize the problem - I write out of ignorance of why Lebrecht is so offensive. I seem to remember someone posting something of his here, but I have long since forgotten.

[Karl Henning]

I know Lebrecht is polarizing and is a journalist? Can someone summarize the problem - I write out of ignorance of why Lebrecht is so offensive. I seem to remember someone posting something of his here, but I have long since forgotten.

You have done the right thing: the less you remember of what Lebrecht writes, the better — for yourself, and for the world  0:)

Lebrecht is to music journalism, as Donald Trump is to US Presidential politics.

[mc ukrneal]

You have done the right thing: the less you remember of what Lebrecht writes, the better — for yourself, and for the world  0:)

Lebrecht is to music journalism, as Donald Trump is to US Presidential politics.

Ok. Sometimes it is better not to know!

[Florestan]

Isn´t Lebrecht the guy who wrote something to the effect that the faster Mozart was forgotten, the better?

[some guy]

Lebrecht is to music journalism, as Donald Trump is to US Presidential politics.

I didn't think it was possible to be rude to Donald Trump.

Good job, Karl!!

[springrite]

Lebrecht is to music journalism, as Donald Trump is to US Presidential politics.

That's as good an analogy as any!

I have done similar things so I applaud him!

[Todd]

I look forward to Lebrecht's response.

[Scion7]

Lebrecht is to music journalism, as Donald Trump is to US Presidential politics.

So, he has a really corny looking comb-over?   

[Brian]

So, he has a really corny looking comb-over?   

It's more of a Poofy Monk haircut.

[Scion7]

^ hair-earmuffs

[Pat B]

I know Lebrecht is polarizing and is a journalist? Can someone summarize the problem - I write out of ignorance of why Lebrecht is so offensive. I seem to remember someone posting something of his here, but I have long since forgotten.

I consider him to be a very talented writer of fiction.

[Ken B]

I consider him to be a very talented writer of fiction.

Nicely played.

[SimonNZ]

I haven't read any Lebrecht since he declared classical music dead - that was about twenty years ago.

I never agreed with him, but he was good for getting the argumentative juices flowing, and refining the reasons why I disagreed.

Has he gotten even worse since then?

[Karl Henning]

I never agreed with him, but he was good for getting the argumentative juices flowing, and refining the reasons why I disagreed.

One might make the same "justification" for Ann Coulter, Rush Limbaugh, and Michael Moore . . . .