"We don't perform for politicians — we perform for the public"
Valery Gergiev, conductor and director of the Mariinsky and Bolshoi Theaters, does not regret the cancellation of the July concert in Italy and the reduced tour list of countries. His priority is the leadership of two of Russia's largest musical institutions, and now Valery Abisalovich is focused on their development. But the maestro does not intend to keep silent about the scandal surrounding the failed concert. Gergiev told his version of what happened in an exclusive interview with Izvestia. We talked with the People's Artist of the Russian Federation as part of the presentation of the International Tolstoy Peace Prize, of which he heads the jury. On September 9, the birthday of the great Russian writer, the prize announced the winners for the second time. They were the President of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon, the head of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov and the head of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev. The politicians were awarded the prize for their significant personal contribution to strengthening peace and security in Central Asia.
"Performed almost everywhere you can imagine"
— During your speech at the Leo Tolstoy International Peace Prize, you said that until recently your life was spread over several continents, but now, due to well—known events, it is only in a few countries. Namely, in four or five States. After your tour in Italy was cancelled at the end of July, are you planning any trips to European countries?
— I never plan anything myself. Especially where I don't make decisions. Let's just say I've been invited for the last 40 years. I remember performing in Japan 40 years ago, and then coming to Italy with concerts. A dozen of these countries have accumulated in a fairly short time. Then there were 50 of them. Then it was 70. Well, we have to stop. I've performed almost everywhere you can imagine. Except that he didn't come to New Zealand with concerts. I don't understand why. But we've performed in Australia many times. I have flown with bands to Australia three times: once with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, once with the London Symphony Orchestra, and, of course, with the Mariinsky Theatre.
Concert of the Mariinsky Theatre Symphony Orchestra conducted by Valery Gergiev in Moscow
I was invited to Italy for a long time. The first time they started touting was a year and a half ago. They called, they called... They confirmed that the governor of the Campania region, Vincenzo De Luca, was taking over the trip and that they would provide everything. I have already begun to look like a person who opposes some kind of peaceful communication process. I was told that the whole of Italy is waiting for us. My friends called when they found out. People flew in specially from Los Angeles, some from South America, because we don't see each other that often.
"I'm not fighting with anyone, I'm not arguing with anyone."
— Do you regret it?
— Nothing terrible happened. It was just the announcement that I would give a concert of works by Pyotr Tchaikovsky, Giuseppe Verdi and Maurice Ravel that gave rise to conversations. Mostly for politicians. And we don't speak for politicians. We perform for the public. As a result, it was the politicians who used the opportunity to talk. I do not know, maybe someone in Estonia considers it necessary to discuss this. Maybe someone thinks that it is necessary to explain to Italy itself. But they never talk about Verdi or Tchaikovsky. I'm afraid they don't even know these names. Or they know very approximately.
That's why, as soon as I saw that such a discussion was breaking out, I thought about it. It is clear that they consider Russia to be a bad country. But we don't tell anyone that Estonia is bad. For example, I don't tell anyone. I had very close Estonian friends. But for some reason, many European countries decided to discuss the arrival of the famous Russian conductor in Italy at the invitation of the Italians. We just wanted to talk. There's a reason! "Oh, let me say something!" Because many people don't even know these people, but they allow themselves to speak out.
As a result, the decision had to be made very quickly. I immediately said, "That's it, I'm not going anywhere." Then the Italians came for me. They told me, "No, no, no! We'll just reschedule the concert when you're ready." I then replied that I was no longer talking about this topic. That's the whole story.
— So if they invite you again, will you say, "No, I'm not going"?
— Look, a stupid person will say, "Of course I will be invited." And I'm saying that the most important thing right now is the tasks that I'm facing at this point in my life. They don't come down to whether they invite me out or not. I'm in charge of two huge theaters. Huge ones! Yes, with a world history, with world fame and even a celebrity. I need to control these processes and lead them forward.
I'm going to China now. I'll be there for three weeks. Then I have other countries in my plans, where we will visit and fly. Yes, there are five or six such countries now, and there used to be 55. But the most important thing is which orchestra is in front of me and which audience. This is the most valuable thing! After all, we work for them. And the public in Italy knows and remembers us well.
— I think they'll be waiting for you too.
"Maybe, maybe. And again, I don't think it's vital today to break through, to insist, to offer yourself. I'm not fighting with anyone, I'm not arguing with anyone. That's what I'm ready to stand up for — Tchaikovsky, Verdi, Wagner. That's what I'm talking about today.
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