Krystian Zimerman's shocking Disney Hall debut

Poland's Krystian Zimerman, widely regarded as one of the finest pianists in the world, created a furor Sunday night in his debut at Walt Disney Concert Hall when he announced this would be his last performance in America because of the nation's military policies overseas.

Before playing the final work on his recital, Karol Szymanowski’s "Variations on a Polish Folk Theme," Zimerman sat silently at the piano for a moment, almost began to play, but then turned to the audience. In a quiet but angry voice that did not project well, he indicated that he could no longer play in a country whose military wants to control the whole world. 

“Get your hands off of my country,” he said.  He also made reference to the U.S. military detention camp in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.  

About 30 or 40 people in the audience walked out, some shouting obscenities.  “Yes,” he answered, “some people when they hear the word military start marching.”

Others remained but booed or yelled for him to shut up and play the piano.  But many more cheered.  Zimerman responded by saying that America has far finer things to export than the military, and he thanked those who support democracy.

For the first half of the recital, Zimerman had played a Bach Partita and Beethoven’s last piano sonata, Opus 111, with firm determination.  After intermission he made a last minute substitution, exchanging late Brahms works for a 1953 sonata by Polish composer Grazyna Bacewicz.  The Szymanowski variations, which closed the program, was played with an astonishing ferocity that brought nothing but tumultuous cheers.  There was no encore.

The pianist was not available after the concert for further comment.

Zimerman has had problems in the United States in recent years.  He travels with his own Steinway piano, which he has altered himself.  But shortly after 9/11, the instrument was confiscated at JFK Airport when he landed in New York to give a recital at Carnegie Hall.  Thinking the glue smelled funny, the TSA decided to take no chances and destroyed the instrument.  Since then he has shipped his pianos in parts, which he reassembles by hand after he lands.  He also drives the truck himself when he carries his instrument from city to city over land, as he did after playing a recital in Berkeley on Friday.

MONDAY UPDATE: Review: Krystian Zimerman's controversial appearance at Disney Hall 

TUESDAY UPDATE: What led to Krystian Zimerman's surprising comments, walkouts

-- Mark Swed

Photo: Krystian Zimerman in 2005. Credit: Kasslara.

Comments

[Andrew]

Arrogance on Stilts or should I say on a piano stool ! Insulting the USA
while at the same time taking our money what hypocricy and fools
who agree with his timing should move to Poland where they obviously
belong.
It's a stain on Disney Hall as well.

[greg]

"US military for bringing democracy to Poland"

My kind sir. I have been living in Poland when democracy came in and I assure you american army had nothing to do with it.

[Lukasz]

Dosen't like our country but hes willing to take our money. OMG what a HYPOCRISY. He DONT need to find a place to concert. He is so famous that everyone wants him invited. American dollars is everything OMG. I guess that 80% of american people is not able to see further than their own noses. You believe in democracy for american people, not for every people. Democracy in US is so weak. Sorry for mistakes. I hardly use english.

[alek]

If it wasn't for our military, Mr. Zimerman, your country would still be under the iron fist of the Soviet Union. -->That was a time of war. Many countries were involved. I guess that not everyone in US knows about it. World War II finished in 1945

[margogrant]

Mr Lemanski and Mr Thompto, writing this, you only show how ignorant you are. Where did you study history?

[vb]

Typical american igonorance .. no wonder the entire world cant stand you people !!!!!!!!

[adam]

to stan calderon:
you calling this shit "the best country in the world" ??
LOL

[Michael]

This has nothing to do with politics, but a lot to do with a weirdo who seems to have run low on his medication. I'm against the war in Iraq and our prisoner detentions, but I've have walked out, too. I may be left-wing, but I know an ass when I hear one.

[ehh]

Maybe he should thank the US military for bringing democracy to Poland LOL You need to read some histirical books. Democracy in poland started in 1989. What's the connection with US?

[Bid Jim Slade]

The ultimate legacy of the American military is the piano player CAN mouth off and then go home FREELY.

Politically naive, but a hell of a piano player. Have a nice trip.

[sus]

uhm, let me get this straight, NOW he protests? Where was he over the last 8 years? It was ok while Bush was rampaging around the planet, but now we have a president who actually voted against the Iraq war, and NOW he thinks it's time to boycott the US? This is part of the challenge that Obama has in front of him - some folks seem to think he must change everything instantaneously, and like Mr. Zimmerman, they'd rather pack up their toys and go home than do anything to help him actually change the world.

[dave]

I GUESS THIS BOZO DIDNT STOP TO THANK THE USA THAT HE WASNT SPEAKING GERMAN

[Jake]

Roman Polanski appears not to agree - HA

[Bid Jim Slade]

Hey the piano player can mouth off in public and then go home freely. The ultimate legacy to the American military.

I wonder when the Maestro performs in China next year he'll have the temerity to mouth off about Falun Gong?

Somehow I doubt it. Great piano player, naive politician.

[GBM]

Mr. Zimmerman did stay to play, taking his fee of course. What a hypocrite.

[David Nevers]

I guess he's referring to the Obama police state. The Republican election defeat must have been the final straw for him. I sympathize with the poor guy.

[Scott P]

Go away little boy. Go back to Poland, land of the apparently true jokes. Then take the time you have by NOT coming here anymore and see if you can find a country where we took over. Maybe don'twhine to US when Russia cuts off your gas in the middle of winter, or when Iran lobs missled over your irrelivant little country. I'd rather keep our tax dollars and military here rather than subsidizing your welfare state. If you're so upset with this country, donate all those nasty Dollars to charity. What a dope.

[Peter Young]

Sheesh, what thin skins some Americans have when someone exercises his right to criticize their country's policies. he didn't say he disliiked the country; he said he disli8ked its militarism abroad and even said America has far better things to export. Most of the people on the planet feel the same way. I myself do.

[mv]

Speaking the truth is courageous. THANK YOU!

[david w. pinkston]

perhaps mr zimerman is aware of the current situation: if poland wants continued progress, it must accept u.s. missile sites. take another look at the number of times the u.s. has come to the aid of poland.