Tchaikovsky removed from orchestra’s programme

TCHAIKOVSKY has been removed from Cardiff Philharmonic Orchestra’s programme owing to the conflict in Ukraine, with the ensemble claiming that playing the Russian composer’s music would be “inappropriate at this time”.

The orchestra had planned a “Tchaikovsky Night” that would feature music from “the world’s best-loved composer”, but organisers have now completely overhauled the billing to remove the Russian influence.

Tchaikovsky will no longer be played because it would be “inappropriate” in light of “recent events”, Cardiff Philharmonic announced yesterday, as it raised concerns about performing the 1812 Overture – a piece celebrating the defence of Russia against invading French forces.

The orchestra will instead perform a “classics-for-all evening”, featuring Elgar’s Enigma Variations and pieces by Dvorak and John Williams.

The move comes amid a growing cultural boycott of Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, with conductor Valery Gergiev dropped by orchestral employers across Europe, and his own management, after he failed to speak out against Vladimir Putin

Concerns have been raised that Russian creatives who have expressly condemned the invasion, including ousted Met Opera soprano Anna Netrebko and boycotted filmmaker Kirill Sokolov, have been unfairly targeted amid a “polarising” cultural backlash.

Elena Sudakova, director of London’s Russian cultural centre Pushkin House, said: “We are witnessing what looks like an irreparable polarisation right now.

“The boycotting of Russian culture in the West is a worrying trend that is burning the last lifeline of dialogue between us and will likely do little to stop the war in Ukraine.”