![\"Valery](\"http:\/\/www.musicalamerica.com\/mablogs\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/05\/gergievMunichRathaus2.jpg\")
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By ANDREW POWELL MUNICH \u2014 In a rambling, two-page \u201cpersonal statement\u201d to Munich Philharmonic<\/a> subscribers made public today (May 20), Valery Gergiev stressed the role of music as bridge-builder and affirmed his now divisive assumption of the post of Chefdirigent<\/i> of the orchestra, effective in fall 2015.<\/p>\n The statement<\/a> covers a grab bag of topics, from Realpolitik <\/i> to the Russian Orthodox faith, from Mariinsky Theater duties to a Munich Stravinsky cycle, from Glinka\u2019s Europeanization of Russian music to recent Ukraine \u201cevents.\u201d Coyly, it acknowledges that \u201cfuture political developments could give rise to problems.\u201d<\/p>\n One bizarre paragraph refers to the Russian people\u2019s continuing support for \u201ctaboos that have not applied in Western countries for many years,\u201d presumably a reference to non-advances in human rights. \u201cWith respect to my personal stance,\u201d it states, \u201cthere is no one in my ensemble and team who could accuse me of anything. One of my most important principles is respect for others and their personal lives.\u201d<\/p>\n This effort by Gergiev was in part an outcome of a politically forced meeting<\/a> he had with the orchestra\u2019s Intendant<\/i> Paul M\u00fcller and the City of Munich\u2019s Kulturreferent<\/i> Hans-Georg K\u00fcppers three days ago (May 17) in Linz<\/a> during a Mariinsky Orchestra visit to Austria. The encounter had been expected to take place in Munich late this week when the touring Russians arrive here, and it may have been moved up (and away) to refract attention.<\/p>\n Photo \u00a9 2013 Wild und Leise<\/p>\n Related posts:
Published: May 20, 2014<\/span><\/p>\n
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\nMPhil Vague on Gergiev Hours<\/a><\/p>\n