’s Werelds grootste pianisten overhet Nederlandse cultuurbeleid

Steinway Artists United

Dankwoord

Graag willen wij Friso Verschoor van Riaskoff Concert Management en Anneke Hogenstijn van Het Concertgebouw bedanken voor hun bemiddeling bij het contact met de internationale meesterpianisten.

Tevens bedanken wij Johan Kloosterboer en Steef Ypma voor hun steun.

PETITIE

aangeboden door de Nederlandse Steinway Artistsaan de eerste minister, de minister en de staatssecretaris

van Onderwijs, Cultuur en Wetenschapen de leden van de vaste kamercommissie OCW

Steinway Artists United

Geachte minister-president, geachte minister, geachte staatssecretaris,

Als Nederlandse Steinway Artists willen wij protest aantekenen tegen het signaal dat u als regering lijkt uit te zenden ten aanzien van cultuur en de rol ervan in de samenleving. Naar ons idee zijn in het bijbehorende politieke en publieke debat twee vraagstukken relevant:

1. Wat is de waarde van cultuur?2. Hoe moet de financiering worden georganiseerd?

WaardebepalingAlvorens het bestaande culturele financieringsstelsel ter discussie te stellen, moet eerst worden bepaald en duidelijk worden uitgedragen dat cultuur van onmisbare waarde is voor de maatschappij. Door dat te verzuimen en door schijnbaar ondoordachte maatregelen aan te kondigen, zoals opheffing van het Muziekcentrum van de Omroep, wordt juist de suggestie gewekt van het tegendeel. Een dergelijk signaal polariseert en geeft cultuurvijandigheid vrij spel.

Levende versus dode kunstOok verzetten wij ons tegen het kunstmatige onderscheid tussen ‘levende’ cultuur van de podiumkunsten en ‘dode’ cultuur van monumenten en musea. U vergeet daarbij dat hetgeen u wilt conserveren veelal wortelt in de levende cultuur van weleer. Het zijn twee kanten van dezelfde munt.

Internationaal verzetOm onze protestactie kracht bij te zetten, hebben wij contact gezocht met enkele van ’s werelds meest vooraanstaande pianisten. Zij dragen Nederland een warm hart toe en zijn er regelmatig te gast. In hun reacties roemen zij de internationale culturele positie van Nederland. Tegelijk uiten zij uiterst scherpe kritiek op de voorgenomen bezuinigingsmaatregelen. U kunt dat op de volgende pagina’s lezen.

Wij willen u met klem oproepen uw plannen te heroverwegen en - in samenspraak met de Nederlandse cultuurdragers - te komen tot een wijzer en evenwichtiger cultuurbeleid dat zowel recht doet aan de waarde van cultuur als de huidige economische situatie.

Hoogachtend,

Marjes Benoist, Ronald Brautigam, Joop Celis, Ton Demmers, Leo van Doeselaar, Paolo Giacometti, Yoram Ish-Hurwitz, Wyneke Jordans, Arthur Jussen, Lucas Jussen, Paul Komen, David Kuyken, Frank van de Laar, Maurice Lammerts van Bueren, Marietta Petkova, Ralph van Raat, Bart van de Roer, Joop Stokkermans, Nata Tsvereli, Hans Vroomans, Rian de Waal en Jan Wijn.

23 november 2010

‘It has come to my attention that the Dutch government has decided to cut its support of Dutch Performing Arts. If this decision becomes a reality, it will undermine Dutch musical life as a whole. Without culture there cannot be an ethical base to society, and therefore dismantling cultural institutions inevitably means impoverishing the quality of life of the citizens. I can only hope it is not too late to stop this recklessness.’

Daniel Barenboim, pianist en dirigentBerlijn, Duitsland

‘It is a big shock to learn about the plans to destruct such an important pillar of the internationally highly esteemed Dutch cultural life. The consequences will reach much further than one can imagine.

Arts & culture are vital and crucial elements within a community and it should always be protected by its government. I support this initiative and would like to encourage the Dutch government to act responsible towards these jewels of artistic life and heritage.’

Murray Perahia, pianistLonden, Verenigd Koninkrijk

‘The present Dutch Government has declared its intention to brutally end the existence of all the Radio Orchestras and Choir. In addition to this, the life of the Residentie Orchestra in The Hague is threatened in the same way (it is one of the oldest orchestras in the country, with a rich past, having survived two world wars).

This massive attack against these institutions represents a horrifying and heartless act of destruction on an unprecedented scale and will lead to a considerable impoverishment of Dutch and European culture.I just hope it won’t happen!’

Radu Lupu, pianistLonden, Verenigd Koninkrijk

‘I fully support the statement of Steinway Artists United. Please do not harm the Dutch Performing Arts in such way. Holland has an impressive international reputation as a cultural centre in Europe and the world and this should be cherished and protected.’

Evgeny Kissin, pianistParijs, Frankrijk

‘I’m aghast at the news and the radical way in which the new government seems to kill that which makes Holland an outstanding place to live and to perform there! While the quality of music making in Holland with those orchestras and choruses have been above many famous orchestras in other countries. It is my duty as an artist, and in a way feeling so close to Holland and to the Dutch people, to protest this edict of the new government. A great country deserves great art. And all of you - either by performing or by enabling performances in Holland - have contributed something that made life in Holland especially desirable and gratifying so that no one ever had to ask “Is that all that there is to living?”’

Menahem Pressler, pianistVerenigde Staten van Amerika

‘Music gives hope and improves the lives of everyone it touches. It makes us better people and inspires us to achieve our boldest dreams. I simply can’t imagine a new generation of Dutch children growing up without orchestras and choirs! These powerful yet fragile institutions make an immeasurable contribution to society that is far greater than the funding they require. We have all experienced tough times when difficult decisions must be made, but to dispense with something so vital will only make matters worse, both in the short and the long run. I hope that those in charge will remember all those times in their lives when music made them feel better and will use their authority wisely to protect Holland’s great musical heritage from destruction.’

Lang Lang, pianistVerenigde Staten van Amerika

‘The extraordinary tradition, richness and unique level of musical life in Holland has been for many decades an inspiration for artists and audiences alike.

As we all know, Performing Arts, including music, form a fundamental and essential part of society. Any attempt to impoverish it by cutting any of its financial support would be a catastrophe of enormous consequences for the future.

Every government has a responsibility to cherish and protect vulnerable art forms from the past, and make sure that generations to come can continue to have their lives enriched by it for many more decades ahead.’

Jean-Yves Thibaudet, pianistParijs, Frankrijk

‘At the centre of liberal Dutch culture lies a deep-rooted tradition in the visual arts and music. For the Netherlands to lose any of its radio orchestras would be a body blow to the heart of Dutch society. This must not be allowed to happen.’

Mitsuko UchidaLonden, Verenigd Koninkrijk

Performing Arts, including music, form a fundamental and essential part of society. Its value cannot be measured by money. Nevertheless, financial support is an important condition for it to survive. Every government has a responsibility to cherish and protect vulnerable art forms from the past and in the future whose role is to lift society above the mundane and inspire generations to come.*

Nelson Freire, pianistBrazilië

*Onderschrijving stelling Steinway Artists United

‘With absolute conviction I put my signature under the statement against the plans of the Dutch government to impoverish the Dutch artistic life.

I must say that Dutch culture always was the jewel of Europe – to destroy it, it is murder.’

Ivan Moravec, pianistPraag, Tsjechië

‘Dutch cultural life has been rich and versatile for many years. Both in its scope and quality it belongs to the very best in the world. Over the course of many years, with the dedication of a great number of people and supported by our government, this has been built up. Now with these proposed budget cuts, totally out of proportion for the Arts, this whole cultural infrastructure is in danger. It is not right, it is unfair and it is very stupid as well.

I hope there will be protests from every possible corner of our society and that these materialistic politicians who think they can kill the Arts because it is not making enough profits, are stopped before they can carry out this agenda.’

Rian de Waal, pianistNederland

Tot slot...

Mark Rutte, minister-president en pianistNederland

Deze petitie is gedrukt op papier dat is voorzien van het FSC-keurmerk voor verantwoord bosbeheer.

Contact

Voor meer informatie over deze petitie kunt u contact opnemen met de initiatiefnemers en woordvoerders van actiegroep Steinway Artists United:

Maurice Lammerts van BuerenDommelstraat 483313 ck Dordrecht(078) 613 45 4106 42 71 64 28

Yoram Ish-HurwitzKrukmanslaan 6-88453 xj Oranjewoud(0513) 63 18 8306 44 11 09 85

info@steinwayartistsunited.orgwww. steinwayartistsunited.org