"Zelensky gave me a huge gift."
Yuri Bashmet is ready to go to the NWO zone and invites foreign musicians to Russia. He admits: none of them refuses, but all of them are afraid of the consequences at home after they return. It is difficult to arrange a meeting with the maestro: he is either rehearsing, or concertizing, or solving serious issues. "Izvestia" talked to Yuri Abramovich on the eve of his birthday, which he celebrated on January 24 on the stage of the Tchaikovsky Hall with a festive concert as part of the VI Winter International Arts Festival in Moscow. The musician shared bold ideas, surprised with a combative attitude and aroused respect with his civic position.
"Mozart has 41 symphonies, and I only perform two"
- You now have the VI Winter International Arts Festival in Moscow, then it will move to Sochi. Are two such events in a row difficult?
- For me it's a joy. You see, difficulties can appear depending on the amount of time and energy spent on rehearsals. When there are things in the repertoire that you know, it's one rehearsal and you're ready. But if it's something completely new for me and for the orchestra, then there are difficulties.
- Is there still something new for you?
- Of course. If Mozart has 41 symphonies and I only perform two, if Haydn has 104 and I play three, there is something to aspire to! On the other hand, maybe it's my fault. But in general, it's the fault of the geniuses themselves, because not everything they create is a super masterpiece. Like Stradivarius instruments. Not all violins are the same. Not everyone can touch a divine note.
That's why people have been listening to these works for years and have determined what can be called, in a good sense, a schlager and what can't.
For example, Mozart's Symphony No. 40 in G minor - even Nokia made it a ringtone for their phones. I am grateful to them for the fact that a completely non-musical person in this horrible computer reproduction of the theme of genius still remembered it.
- What are the differences between one festival and another?
- We try not to repeat ourselves. We don't transport a ready-made festival from city to city. And each of them always has a face and its own audience. I already recognize them during bows - when I suddenly see familiar faces.
- And what is happening now with the "December Evenings" at the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts, which Irina Antonova (director of the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts, who headed the museum from 1961 to 2020) loved so much?
- During the Covid period, the festival sagged, narrowed down and turned into a two-day marathon, although previously concerts were held throughout December. And then there was the narrow specificity of the repertoire - supermodern. The museum management wanted to do something so special, so special. But you see, the audience can't be so prepared and so reckless to listen to something they don't understand.
When I met with the then new director Liza Likhacheva two years ago, we understood each other with half a turn. We decided to return to the previous format, because memory and tradition must be preserved. In general, it is better to measure ten times than to change something.
"The December Evenings were invented by two people - Irina Antonova and Svyatoslav Teofilovich Richter. It took place in France at the Grange de Melée festival. We performed with him there, and afterwards Irina Alexandrovna offered Richter a festival in Moscow. He said that it was a commitment, that it had to be taken seriously and that it took time. In general, he was a little flirtatious.
And Irina Antonova said: "Of course! We have such magnificent works and exhibitions in our stash. You paint yourself, and very well". So she started to persuade him to organize a music festival at the museum.
Former Director of the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts Irina Antonova
Irina Alexandrovna was a very progressive person. She wanted to present a synthesis of arts in one event. If the museum exhibited Impressionist paintings, the music would be Impressionist. This gave the listener the opportunity to immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the time. Then Richter suggested that the festival should be called The Gifts of the Magi. Antonova replied that they might not understand. And so December Nights was born. I received an offer to become the conductor. When Svyatoslav Teofilovich passed away, we added his surname to the title: Richter's December Evenings.
- You returned to the usual format, but the director of the State Museum of Fine Arts, Elizaveta Likhacheva, with whom you had coordinated it, left her post. How did you feel about this news?
- Completely unexpected news. I remember when I first came to see Lisa two years ago, it became clear after five minutes that we were on the same wavelength. So the process started immediately. The festival became powerful, interesting and diverse again. And then such a surprise, Lisa Likhacheva was filmed! I don't know what the reasons are. I'm very sorry to see her go.
I'm sure the new director, whom I haven't met yet, will continue what we started. Why stop Richter's December Nights, which has such an incredible history?
"If someone asks to go back from poverty, our kind people will forgive him."
- Musicians from Spain, from Cuba, from the BRICS countries will come to Sochi. Not many people can boast of foreigners on the playbill today. How do you manage to gather such an international company?
- There will also be musicians from Japan and Korea. No one refuses, no one says they won't come to Russia. But they are afraid to come back. What will happen to them at home?
- You can always return to Russia and ask for citizenship.
- It's everyone's personal choice. Why should he or she suddenly change country just to take part in my festival? Although maybe someone will do it.
When I see that one of our stars, mostly pop stars or from the acting world, has left, I think that everyone has his or her own reason for such a decision. Maybe at that moment someone did not pass the audition in the movie, maybe someone has a personal drama, maybe someone's voice is gone, or felt that young people are stepping on their heels, or his jokes are becoming unfunny. Something is going on in this person's work, and that's why he wants to survive. And in order to somehow stay afloat there, they have to break the foundations, to blame not themselves but the authorities. I don't condemn them, I pity them more. And maybe they pity me. But don't feel sorry for me - I live at home and do what I love.
- Do you know musicians who left and now regretted it and asked for your help to come back?
- Me? No. When Rostropovich left the USSR, he gave a farewell concert at the conservatory. Mstislav Leopoldovich was at the conductor's desk of the student orchestra, in which I was playing. The maestro chose to perform Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 6 - the best symphony in the world. During the concert we were all weeping, we knew who we were losing. The audience was yelling: "Slavochka, who are you leaving us for?" After the concert, the car with his entire family was carried out of the conservatory courtyard by fans in their arms. But he left anyway.
Later I saw Rostropovich several times abroad. Sometimes it was dangerous. But I was not afraid to communicate with a dissident. Mstislav Leopoldovich was interested in everything that was happening in Russia. I felt that, in general, he was suffering because he was not living at home. And he was doing just fine abroad. And there was fame, and fame, and money.
So it' s pointless to talk about the others, the non-Rostropovichs. I'm sure that many of those who have left now regret it. I think that from poverty someone will ask to go back. And our kind people will forgive.
"Someone brought a jar on stage to Vladimir Spivakov, and ten mice ran out of it."
- You have expressed your desire to go to the NWO zone and defend your homeland with a weapon in your hands, if necessary. You were supported in this aspiration in the State Duma. Deputy Elena Drapeko was pleased with your position, but said it was better to let him play - we need such talents. Did you make such a statement in a balanced way?
- You know, I too believe that I will do more good on stage than in a trench. In the end, if there is a need, of course, I will do it. I confess to you that when the theaters and musical ensembles began to draft young people, I wrote a letter to Defense Minister Shoigu. I recalled that during the Second World War, groups came to the location of units and gave concerts for the soldiers. This is very important. Klavdia Shulzhenko sang "Blue Handkerchief", Eliasberg's orchestra performed Shostakovich's Symphony No. 7 in besieged Leningrad, raising people's spirits. After that, the minister issued an order, and an exception was made for artists and musicians. We felt it made sense not to lose our spiritual foundation.
First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Culture Elena Drapeko
- So you're the reason a lot of musicians got booked?
- Not just me. I wrote to the minister, it was a lever. Of course, I was also supported by theaters and other orchestras. In general, it slowed down the process. I won't name names, but I know specific people who were hanging by a thread, musicians from the Bolshoi Theater, from Spivakov's orchestra. They already had a summons.
- Some artists, having learned about the possible summons, simply went abroad.
- I will now ask you a question: where did those who left us go? To Israel, where there is a war? Further, to America?
- Apparently, yes. Some went to Europe.
- Well, then, their instinct of self-preservation outweighed the instinct of feeling for their homeland.
- You've performed in Syria, played with musicians in destroyed Palmyra. You're ready to go to the NWO. And what do you consider to be the hottest spot?
- The first concert in the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory. Why is it a hot spot? Because the most responsible and decisive, historic concert. It was the first solo performance by a violist. No one had ever dared to do such a thing before. And then there were performances at La Scala in Milan, Carnegie Hall in New York, Wiener Musikverein in Vienna, Suntory Hall in Tokyo. I haven't named them all yet.
Don't consider it a boast or some immodesty, but Yuri Gagarin was the first to fly into space and it was unknown whether he would return or not. For me it was an unknown - whether I would be invited or not.
I've had situations when politics interfered with music. In Salzburg during a concert someone from the audience shouted in Ukrainian, which I know very well. I even got a B in Ukrainian at school. This was long before the special operation. But even then they were shouting, they came to the concert with a placard. They did not like that I supported my country.
Viktor Tretyakov was doused with red paint during a concert in London. And Viktor Viktorovich said: "Come on, let them just buy me a new tailcoat or clean mine." They bought him a new one. And someone brought a jar to Vladimir Spivakov on stage, and ten mice ran out of it. They started running between his legs. It was a shock, a stress, but he withstood it and finished playing.
"Russia has the most beautiful anthem in the world."
- On January 19, Zelensky announced sanctions against you. How do you feel about it?
- I think that this is the greatest birthday present for me.
- And Zelensky made it.
- Yes. I'm very grateful to Zelensky. I'll even find an opportunity to tell him. I just don't know where to send it. I used to think he was a fool, a fool, a moron, an idiot, ruining a beautiful, musical country. But there's one good thing about him. He's given me the biggest gift of all. I thought maybe he didn't notice me, he had counted everyone, announced sanctions. But no, he wised up a little, remembered about me.
- Who told you about it?
- One of the musicians found it in the news.
- In the State Duma proposed to include songs of the most patriotic artists - SHAMAN, Oleg Gazmanov - in the music curriculum in schools. How do you see it?
- Everything should be exciting, then it will be sincere. To advise something to young people, you have to have an amazing sense of taste. And then there will be a guarantee that children will not turn away from it, they will appreciate it.
It is necessary to be able to enthuse, but on the basis of children's special music education. And in this way to develop the interests and hobbies of everyone, because they are all different.
Here you named Gazmanov and SHAMAN. The first performer has already been proven for years. He lived and grew with all the changes in this country. He is energetic, kept up with the times. We do not compare Gazmanov with Magomayev or with Kobzon, but at the same time he is loved by the public.
As for SHAMAN, I am not yet very familiar with his work. He started not so long ago. And, as they say in Odessa, we'll see. The fact that he has data is a definite.
- According to VTsIOM, SHAMAN is the most popular artist. 38% of those polled voted for him. Oleg Gazmanov is in second place with 19%.
- So SHAMAN has hit the time in the state of youth. Maybe they caught his energy, high notes or something else. But we had Alexander Gradsky! He had an amazing tenor. Maybe SHAMAN will grow up. He's still at the beginning of his career. I'm not saying he's bad, I just don't know him very well. But I think it's a trendy story, and apparently it's in tune with the times. I can only wish him to improve his professional qualities and that he doesn't forget about taste.
I listened to the Russian national anthem performed by him. It is strange to me, with what tears he sings it. It is very beautiful music. Russia has the most beautiful anthem in the world. And SHAMAN sang it in a chic pop style. I think it should be sung the way its author wrote it.
Don't think that I don't know this genre. I used to play guitar myself. I had my own band. By the way, I'm very fond of anything talented, with good taste, in any genre. That's why I had joint projects with Sting, Diana Arbenina, Igor Butman. I have the right to evaluate.
- And what about projects abroad now? Are the tours canceled?
- Contacts have slowed down a lot. I had a tour planned for Japan. But, first because of the pandemic, and now because of the current situation, all the concerts are postponed. They say to me, "Let's do the same date next year." - "Let's do it." A year goes by and we reschedule again. I have no cancelations, only postponements. It's the same with Italy, Germany, France. With America, it's been stuck even before that. But again, the dates are chosen.
There are several academies around the world, where I am an honorary professor, but so far no one has removed or canceled me. Unlike the same Zelensky. No British politician will be able to cancel the decrees that were signed by Princess Diana and then Prince Charles. No one can revoke my honorary professorship at the London Academy of Music.
- They say you're going to Mauritius on tour? I bet it's all beaches, isn't it?
- That's good! Play and dive. I've never been there before. I recently discovered South Africa. I thought I'd come and see what it's like. Turned out to be an educated public. They know where to applaud and where not to applaud. It was a completely unexpected impression of this country for me. I think we will go there again.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
