Saturday February 08, 2025

Munich warns Russian conductor over pro-Putin stance

Published : 25 Feb 2022, 23:20

DF News Desk

The Munich Philharmonic Orchestra, led by conductor Valery Gergiyev, will perform at the opening of the Isar Philharmonic in the Orchestra Hall. File Photo: Peter Kneffel/dpa.

The Mayor of Munich threatened on Monday to remove Russian conductor Valery Gergiev from his post as chief conductor of the Munich Philharmonic on the grounds of Gergiev's outspoken support for President Vladimir Putin, reported dpa.

"I have made my attitude clear to Valery Gergiev and called on him to distance himself unambiguously and unmistakeably from the war of aggression that Putin is waging against Ukraine and in particular our partner city Kiev," Mayor of Munich Dieter Reiter said.

"If Gergiev has not taken a clear stand by Monday, he cannot remain chief conductor of our Philharmonic," the mayor added.

Gergiev, 68, has been chief conductor in Munich since 2015.

His pro-Putin attitudes have repeatedly resulted in criticism. In 2014, he signed an artists' petition backing the Russian annexation of Crimea.

On Thursday, the Vienna Philharmonic rejected criticism of its tour of the United States under Gergiev as guest conductor. The orchestra is playing New York's Carnegie Hall from Friday to Sunday before heading to Florida.