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Igor Levit is one of most famous pianists in world. The 31-year-old was awarded Classical echo in 2014, and in protest he returned prize. He is currently preparing for a concert with Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam.
Online Time: Mr. Levit, like some or musicians, y have returned ir echo to Federation music industry. In ir explanatory memorandum, y write that award of Echo to Kollegah and Farid Bang is a “completely verantwortlungsloser, incredible misstep of echo jury and at same time an expression of current state of our society”. What condition do you have in mind?
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Igor Levit: I am talking about consensus shift that has taken place in German society for a number of years. Things that were totally unacceptable in society and were not tolerated under guise of freedom of expression are suddenly consensual. The shift takes place loudly and quietly, in media and in politics. That is real problem.
Online Time: The texts by Kollegah and Farid Bang contain tasteful comments about Auschwitz prisoners and play with anti-Semitic conspiracy ories. Would you really say that such content is now a consensus?
Levit: I hope not. But by awarding Echo, y were legitimized in an unbearable way. Of course you have to ask yourself what is going on in people’s minds, not only buying music with such texts, but glorifying m and identifying mselves with m. What is frightening, however, is that those responsible for Echo apparently were unwilling to prevent this award.
Online Time: Even nomination of Kollegah and Farid Bang had been severely criticized. The organizers of Echo were n examined by an ethics committee. Managing director Heinz said language of battle rap was “hard and verbal provocations (…) A typical stylistic medium “. She pointed to freedom of art and to fact that album was sold young, brutal, handsome 3 more than 200,000 times.
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Levit: I have no sympathy for that. To live and fight for freedom of art is one thing. Freedom from censorship is very important. But re is also a freedom to something. Everyone bears responsibility. Words are power, words make climate. We must already define: what is freedom of art, what is freedom of expression and what is social poison? To trample imaginary Auschwitz inmates is social poison! From me, Kollegah should be allowed to make his albums. But I will fight against everything I have.
Online Time: In or words, you would say that such an album should not be banned, but should not have been appreciated with a prize?
Levit: Right. I’m not going to decide what’s on index. But if I am confronted with such texts, n man who fabricated m must reckon that he will get full broadside back. If you see this, you can ask yourself: what does ethics committee of Echo actually do professionally?
