What do artists do when their political beliefs conflict with political reality?
Leon Fleisher, brilliant pianist and pedagogue, in a line that stretches straight back to Beethoven (this isn't hyperbole -- Fleisher studied with Artur Schnabel, who had studied with Theodor Leschetizky, who had studied with Karl Czerny, who had studied with Beethoven) has this to say about the dilemma in the Washington Post.
Bravo to him for speaking up.
Yes, bravo for speaking up, and congratulation to him for his lifetime of achievement. BUT, I think he caved in a bit. I appreciate his thoughts and the inner turmoil brought on by this honor, and I'm glad he went public with his story, but faced with the same dilemma, I think I would have stood outside the White House and invited the press. I'm sure it would have curled the hair of the award committee and would have been out-of-character for Mr. Fleisher, and honestly, it's why he is being honored and not me. But he won't go down in history for having worn a nice ribbon around his neck. He would have gone down in history had he turned his back on the White House...like those heroes who refused to be honored at the White House after 9/11. That was bravery!
What did Leon have to lose? He's 80 years old and if he felt so strongly about it, he could have used his place in the limelight a bit more powerfully.
Posted by: David Gilmore | February 10, 2008 at 09:26 AM
Well, David, thanks for stepping into the fray -- hell, I was hoping just to get a fray going! -- but it doesn't look like that's going to happen. I thought more people would be in favor, like you, of an artist's refusing to attend. It's certainly a complicated, nuanced issue, and I can see several reasonable points of view on it.
Posted by: Lisa Simeone | February 10, 2008 at 05:15 PM
Sing the greatness of the soul and spirit,
Sing the joy of peace and friendship's merit,
Music is a kind and truthful speech;
In a language out of mere word's reach....
Posted by: ShortWoman | February 11, 2008 at 12:31 AM