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

[Just walking the dog here]

Krystian Zimerman applied his freedom of speech (afforded to citizens and visitors alike) to say what he believes. I believe the only thing he is "guilty" of is poor timing. He hurt the collective feelings of the many republicans in attendance and they can't take that, especially after losing the White House, Congress and Senate (although they will have control of the courts for some time). Perhaps Mr. Zimerman could have made his comments a few days earlier and some attendees could have made their comments by canceling their tickets. I for one, would have bought a few and attended to applaud this man with a conseience. I know many Europeans and they are just waiting for us to mature and see that the world has many countries, not all of which are against us. Play on Mr. Zimerman, I can always download your music and perhaps see you on the continent!

[Major Variola (ret)]

Krystian Zimerman is a hero. If you are offended, you need to look at how
the rest of the world sees the US. You will be appalled. The US is
the new Rome (but is falling faster).

[WW2]

We need to get out of these countries so countries like Poland can still be under Soviet Union or Germany's control. Why butt in on their problems when they are so ungrateful

[KK]

Yeah. The truth always hurts. World peace will not come until all occupation stop.

[mike]

Bravo. Real Americans will cheer him. It's time people stood up and started fighting back against American violence and imperialism. It's not just destroying other countries, it's destroying ours.

[DAVID HART]

DON'T LET THE DOOR HIT YOU ON THE WAY OUT

[Jim McDaniels]

I was at Mr. Zimmerman's concert last night. I'm not sure Mr. Swed quite captures what happened in the audience and on stage last evening.

Mr. Zimerman looked quite pained before he spoke. He began his comments by saying that he had been forbidden to speak to the audience (I wonder by whom, LA Phil management perhaps?).He did not yell at the audience, he engaged in an impassioned, spur of the moment, speech from the piano. He did not seem angry as much disappointed and frustrated by the actions of our government. He felt the profound need to explain to the audience why he would not be performing in the US any time soon. It was not a harangue or a tirade.

He did also refer to our recent election of President Obama, he thanked the audience for supporting democracy in this country again.

I was sitting in the Terrace and could see most of the hall. I saw and heard only a handful of people reacting negatively to Zimerman's statements from the piano, not the 30 or 40 Swed reports. The protesters were drowned out by a sustained round of applause during his comments.

At the end of the concert the audience just went nuts. I have never heard such a wild response from an audience. Mr. Zimerman was visibly moved by the audience vociferous and heartfelt response and came out for his bows with his hand over his heart.

The people who are calling Zimerman a jerk are hypocrites. They would be the very people who would applaud an American artist going to China or Venezuela and making a political statement about freeing Tibet or the lack of human rights under Chavez.These people do not fool me. They are not against performers being political, it's just that their ox was being gored. They would have been perfectly happy with some verbal American flag waving from the stage.

Personally I could have done without the speech. But if Zimerman's speech was the price I had to pay for the most impassioned piano playing I have ever heard... so be it.

[Stark Cicero]

First of all, Mr. Zimerman didn't say he hated the U.S., he said he hated the militarism of the U.S. government (which is being continued by Obama and his right leaning security team). Obama's increasing our military presence in Afghanistan (we need control of that oil pipeline, I guess) and even though we say we're leaving Iraq, I doubt we'll be out anytime soon. This adminstration had a chance to stop Bush's faulty policies but we're spending billions each month on wars for oil while programs are being cut and jobs lost in the U.S. Thank you Mr. Zimerman for saying what many of us in the U.S. want to say. I guess the truth hurts to those people who walked out on him.

[olivia merlos]

All I have to say is if he is so discusted by the foreign policies of this country why did he come? Because the money is too good, no? Anyway he is a piano player or did I miss something and all of sudden just because one is an artist then it automatically makes you an expert on foreign policies? Please I'm so tired of all these "actors, actresses and musicians" who believe that being famous makes you an expert on politics. Like someone said just play and shut up..I pay you for that, if I want a political speech I'd had gone somewhere else..

[POLACK]

To Amara

You're crazy and totally ignorant! Nobody in Poland wants the shield. American media only portays it that way! Besides, the shield is not meant to defend Poland but to defend US! How stupid are you? Get your facts right, and don't get them from watching TV and reading American newspapers.

[Brian]

I could understand Mr. Zimerman's anger if this were 2003 rather than 2009. It seems that he is fighting yesterday's war. He must still be angry over the mindless destruction of his piano by TSA after 9/11. I'm still angry about my nice nail clippers that they confiscated at that time, and I can only imagine how bitter I would be if security goons had trashed my Steinway.

[Mark Niklas]

He insulted US and its citizens.He should keep promises and not come to US any more. We do not like Polish jerks like him.His job is to play not talks politics.I am in military business and beacuse military power of my country Poland was freed from soviet regime and he forgot it.

[Dennis]

Hi Krystian,
If you change your mind someday and want to play here again ,COME ON BACK!!-it's no big deal. A little controversy adds excitement to Art and Music;it's always been that way!!!

[tommy]

Posted by: Pupster
"He's protesting Guantanamo Bay and US military policy now? After a new President has vowed to close the facility and 7 years after our forays overseas? He's a bit Charlie-come-lately, especially if he's spent the last 7 years touring the US (as you report) raising his profile and accepting payment for his concerts..."

Well said!!
Though I add I too believe the usa is too Rambo militaristic! The military is bigger and takes more of OUR money then the rest of the world combined? And for what??

[Dave]

I was in Poland as a 24 yr. old in 1984. Had a Polish classmate at that time while living in a neutral (neither Poland nor USA) and what I heard was "We hate the F'ing Russians". Over a beer, we would have a difference of opinion re US policy but I never heard "We hate the F'ing USA" from Polish people I met and studied with.

I've traveled in Europe for months on a student budget. I've lived in Asia for 8+ years. Not in the military, but as a student and working for non-us companies so I probably have a perspective more open to world opinion for having done so.

Anyway, I have no problem with what Krystian Zimerman did. Don't think the timing was right nor do I really agree with him but this is the USA, say what you want when you want and then live with it. He should really take this a step further and not sell or allow his music to be sold in the USA (of course after whatever contracts/agreements he has expire...wait, breech the contracts and pay the court fees for doing so - that's believing what you say).

What's with only not performing live concerts in the US? Come on Krystian, truly believe in what you say and cut off all financial benefits you receive from the US. That is making a personal statement.

[Mischa]

Next time Poles need protection from Russia yet again, we'll request Poles that it is Mr. Zimmerman doing the begging. Or no help.

Besides, its all sour grapes about his Steinway. Bet on it.

[Phe]

Few words of truth!
The level of knowledge and awareness of most US people is just enoguh to implant a chip to everyone ... one day you will wake up and start fight for freedom, (no mortgage, no hamburger, no cushy livin)... till then enjoy.

[Jim Q. Citizen]

What an incredible ingrate. Good riddance to bad rubbish.

[marcin]

Most of these comments here represent typical American way of thinking - "if you are not with us, you are against us". Americans! Stop acting like a bunch of preschoolers and get offended by anyone's critical words.
DUMB DUMB DUMB

1) mr zimerman didnt say anything about guantanamo --- that was a reader's embellishment

2) the soviet and their iron fist have NOTHING to do with current us military policy, nor does it entitle us to any kind of free reign over the world now. attacking mr zimerman based on his nationality is ignorant. if you hold him semi-accountable for his country's hisotry, you can likewise be held accountable for our's. and dont act that the usa is just and mighty.

3) it isn't rude or distasteful to speak out against what is going on in the world. it's a moral obligation. he is simply using his platform as an artist to get more people's attention.

4) mr zimerman isnt stealing money from anyone. if people wanted to see him, they paid. and they paid to see a talented and skeptical man, whose criticism is much more on-point than blind support of military violence, perform. he did peform, so they got their money's worth. it's irrational to believe you have some kind of right NOT to be offended -- -that he sound shut up and play. plus, you cant be mad about his remarks, unless, of course, you dont believe in the right to free speech.

5) harsh put-downs of mr zimerman only reflect the callous disregard for human life that is fostered both by distance and "free" media. if a nation cannot pull together to protest against the brutal treatment and isolation of new orleanians during katrina, it's no wonder our apathetic nation doesnt care about other atrocities that go on even farther around the globe. our internet is not uncensored, there are many war videos that are available around the world and not here. it's a way of keeping outrage at bay, so congratulations, you are a product of the machine. ignorance is bliss, as they say. go zimerman!