Where you found the quarantine?
Vasily Petrenko: In Norway, 10 days of March, I rehearsed with the orchestra “Le Sacre du Printemps” by Stravinsky, and Denis Kozhukhin had to play a concert of Scriabin. Tuesday was a rehearsal on Wednesday morning, the Norwegian government decided on the quarantine, and the concert was canceled. On Thursday I returned to Liverpool, where I am now. I have two weeks vacation: garden, garden. There is a time unmount your records, see new scores. Before that I did six or seven years, did not have leave.
As a conductor, which lie mostly in Europe, describe a situation in which you are now.
Vasily Petrenko: the Situation in which we all were, is that for the next two or three months all the work is cancelled, no earnings no. All these house concerts held by the musicians online – rather, to maintain the interest of the public, to people not weaned entirely from classical music. As for conductors, the technology has not yet reached the moment when the sound delay is so minimal that it will be possible to organize concerts with people located in different parts of the world. So now all sit at home, engaged in self-education, works which were not completed, and wait for the next decisions. To open it all begins, naturally, with China’s: it has already abolished the internal quarantine. If external quarantine-isolation description for two weeks will remain for a long time, it will be a serious blow to the music industry: none of the touring musician can’t afford to stay two weeks in one place, and none of the company, none of the orchestra will not pay for it.
Little Big will perform an online concert in Yandex.The air
How has your long-term plans in connection with crisis?
Vasily Petrenko: plans for the next two years is uncertain, things change every day. At the moment all the concerts officially canceled until the beginning of may, everywhere: I had to fly to Montreal in early April, and then to Moscow. I think the end may not be absolutely nothing. At best, in my opinion, by mid-June start some concerts. I have to come to Moscow for the festival in the New Jerusalem (if it happens). But I remain optimistic – otherwise it is impossible.
To a greater extent the crisis has affected while Opera houses: Clayborn Opera canceled the entire summer season, as well as Opera Grange, Salzburg, Baden-Baden. We reschedule till the following season. For example, now goes my cycle of all Mahler’s symphonies. We managed to play the First and the Second, last week was supposed to be the Third Symphony, which did not take place. Apparently, the Fourth and Fifth, and probably Sixth will not take place. How to move the Symphony for next season – we are puzzled. Sadly not only what is happening now, but also what the consequences of this quarantine and the associated economic crisis will last another decade.
How do you assess the impact of quarantine on the economy and culture?
Vasily Petrenko: it’s No secret that all the production chain is now broken due to the closure of borders. These violations began with China. In all countries every day of such quarantine is a huge amount lost to the economy money. How long the whole world will get out of this crisis is very difficult to say. If to speak about art in General and specifically about the performing and stage arts (be it music or theater) – here will play the role of the fear factor that naturally after such a virus the public will be afraid to gather in public places. Quarantines will be gradually removed, but I think the restrictions on public events up to 500 people will remain.
English orchestras receive public or private support at a time of crisis?
Vasily Petrenko: With private investors support almost never was. Support for private investors is possible when there are tax breaks. I was talking with the British government on this subject, in particular for relief of income tax for donating to culture, but my point of view, unfortunately, was not accepted. In addition, the tradition of patronage has not been as strong. As for the state, about 55 % of the budget forms the Foundation of the local government and the Federal government. Even though the money is still left – they paid for a year, and income from ticket sales (which make up at least 40-45% of the budget) are not. A number of orchestras in the UK appealed to the government for support, requesting the next disbursement of the Fund for the year ahead now (don’t know whether they received a response). Otherwise, by mid-may all the bands would go bankrupt.
Zemfira presented the song “Krym” for the new album
the Musicians get paid for the quarantine period?
Vasily Petrenko: the Musicians that work at a rate in the orchestra, receive from 60 to 90% of their salary. Freelancers get nothing. However, the government issued a decree according to which freelancers that receive less than 50,000 £ per year (in principle, it is not so much), will reimburse up to 80% of their income (not less than 2500 pounds, but not Bothan 80% of revenue) for the period of quarantine, but not before June. Recalculated tax return for last year.
Yes, we are all in different financial circumstances, but now even the American President said that on balance, sadly, the lives of people against the future generations. And what from this it is possible to donate – after all, keeping both would be extremely difficult. The economic reality is that if the quarantine will exist in most countries of the world before July (which is quite possible), then the global economy generally will not be subject to recovery. The official unemployment rate in the UK for more than 20%. According to forecasts, if the quarantine will continue until July, it will be more than 50%. When unemployment more than 50% of the country is in martial law and get out of this can only be militaristically (and the UK more or less prosperous country, compared to some other countries, Spain and Italy are in a plight). There is a certain “point of no return” in the global economy, from which escape will be impossible. It will be a different world, but to build it will need decades. On a global scale we are talking about the situation post-First world war, when all Europe was in ruins, and it took decades to build a new economic model.
Photo: From the archive of Vasily Petrenko
whether the cultural life of rehabilitation after such a shock?
Vasily Petrenko: Cultural values is one of the features that distinguishes man from animals. Therefore, to maintain and develop the culture necessary at all times, and especially in a crisis. In the future it will be necessary to think about a kind of cultural safe space: every major city should be a concert hall or theater, which will take all precautions for the public and for the speakers. For example, at the entrance to the theatre everyone will have controlXia temperature, check the virus status and more medical supervision. Of course, 100% sure it will never happen, but we need as much as possible safe for the public space. If such equipment is to be installed in the leading halls, or even built new complexes and cultural life will continue. Otherwise, fear of the public will remain.
there are Also different ideas about social distance. For example, to seat the audience at a distance of four places from each other. But it will look awful and very depressing art, especially for those who remember full house. Therefore, I would recommend (I’m trying to initiate this campaign in conjunction with physicians), to reflect on how we can transform the halls, or how can we build something new, to allow mass submissions. This applies not only to classical music or Opera, this applies to musicals, operettas, theatre in any genre of performance.
Leonid Agutin: We – Russians and Belarusians – are doomed to live together,
Should I wait for the boom of digitalization in the field of art because of the coronavirus?
Vasily Petrenko: the Development of digital technologies in art, of course, will happen – it’s part of progress. But you know, I’ve always said and continue to say: I don’t want to live in a Museum – classical music should exist in the space of a live performance! Otherwise it is easier to go to a Museum and see paintings, or to download the recording. But it does not give the same nerve, the same emotion that a live concert. Yes, the digitization will happen, but I would like to happen in the direction of the archive – for those who want to listen and refresh your memories from the concert, which took place gone three or five years ago. To continue living art is very important. Otherwise, it’s a Cabinet of curiosities.
I was looking at the bigger picture – how it will affect the whole society postoronnii the world. It will be very much changed. First and foremost, I think people will think of the importance of key professions, such as doctors, police and the professions that produce real goods and real services as required. The number of jobs that produces nothing, and doing, for example, shifting papers from one pile to another, will be reduced. As for art, the difficulty in funding. Good that Russia has such a big support of the state. In the West is heavily dependent on ticket sales or support individuals. Here, in my opinion, will be a dramatic change. Already closed a number of orchestras in the US, I think, in the European countries also reduced the number of musical groups, and points on the map where you can hear live classical music and live Opera, will be much less.
will there be A change of musical education in connection with the coronavirus?
Vasily Petrenko: at least temporarily will be a reduction in music education: teachers, and students. Will the reorientation of society in other occupations. Teachers, in General, somewhat easier. My children, for example, has long been transferred to online education in many subjects, before the start of the pandemic. Yes, this is a controversial issue: children spend a lot of time with the device. In the exact Sciences distance education can produce results. In the Humanities, it is more difficult. As for my profession, it is impossible.
What to do for qualified musicians?
Vasily Petrenko: In my opinion, many people, unfortunately, have to learn other professions. It will apply to all market services and tourism, restaurant, cultural – would be much narrower after the crisis. Only the strongest will survive, and support from the Statesand, perhaps, to expect it will be difficult.
sting dedicated the song to the victims of the coronavirus to the people of Italy
What would you say to musicians and colleagues in Russia, who, like all nervous?
Vasily Petrenko: In the first place, is what is called “Stay safe”, be safe. Measures taken by different governments can argue they’re right or not, but to execute them is a must. Second – Yes, it is a difficult situation, but this is an opportunity to write new music, learn new pieces, think about what you’re doing, why you’re doing this. This is an opportunity to reflect and enrich your creative experience, including through dramatic trials.
it’s been a difficult time, but everyone needs it to endure, and the maximum in the future to maintain the culture. Here I was asked by the BBC about the importance of culture in people’s lives – will it be rethought. In my opinion, culture will be significantly enhanced, because in times of crisis, there is the importance of culture in the lives of ordinary people. Just how this culture will be heard and perceived – through what media – it’s all very much to think about, remembering the importance of empathy and the need of the organization, from a medical point of view, safe public space. This is very serious and promising. This is one of those ways through which you can preserve our cultural heritage. And while we remain optimistic.
What you plan to do, to what before did not reach the hands?
Vasily Petrenko: first, finally have time to write something musical. It won’t necessarily be whatsomething that is worthy to see the light that is called – for themselves. Then, I think, exercise their long-standing desire to go fishing. I’ve been here 15 years, and never yet failed. However, you will have to argue with the police on the subject of what is my daily physical exercise, but I think any problems will not be, because people there are few.
help “RG”
Vasily Petrenko was born and educated in Leningrad. The main conductor of the Philharmonic orchestra of Oslo (2013-present), Royal Liverpool Symphony orchestra (since 2009), Youth orchestra of the European Union (from 2015), principal guest conductor of the state academic Symphony orchestra of Russia to them.E.F.Svetlanov (from 2016). Honorary Professor of the University of Liverpool and Liverpool Hope University, was awarded the title “Honorary citizen of Liverpool”. Season 2021/22 year Vasily Petrenko will take up the position of artistic Director of the Royal Philharmonic orchestra in London.
