It's amazing how many people take the freedom of speech America grants, and then uses it to trash it. Biting the hand that feeds - especially for a touring foreign pianist who is making money off of America.

It's amazing how many people take the freedom of speech America grants, and then uses it to trash it. Biting the hand that feeds - especially for a touring foreign pianist who is making money off of America.

Well, since he comes from Poland he probably has more personal family history with a bordering country that took up residence in his native land. Some guests come uninvited and just don't know when to leave.

When the US decides to visit a county without an invitation we always seem to think that it's OK even if our stay turns out to be completely bogus.

I don't really think a concert is a good time for discussing one's political views. In fact, someone as famous in the classical music world as Zimerman might have been able to convince more people of his views in an essay or interview.

People go to Zimmerman's concerts because they want to, not because they're doing him a favour. Biting the hand that feeds it?

A history of being conquered by other countries is no excuse....

It may or may not be an excuse, depending on what we mean by that, but it's a reason.

^^ make that 'it's annoying when ANYBODY starts tackling politics....it's an ugly zone.

Same thing happened to Jack Gibbons a couple times, and here's a blog by him talking about it: http://jackgibbons.blogspot.com/2010/03/zimermans-anti-american-tirade.html

Anyways, the point I was making is that it's silly to bite the hand that feeds. I hope that clarified things...

Jack Gibbon's post is extremely sensible.

Zimmerman makes money by touring - probably a lot more money than his recordings bring him. It's usually the same for any musician, whether they are classical, rock, or pop - albums just increase public awareness for the inevitable tours. They are usually willing to let the record company make the larger amount of money on the albums, knowing that they'll be making more on their tours.

So, yes - you are biting the hand that feeds when you throw a temper tantrum on stage and declare your disdain for the people who are paying you money. It's disrespectful to the audience, the venue which is hosting you, and to the country that permits you to legally perform and earn money in that country. There's no such thing as a natural-right to enter another country and then earn money - it's usually granted through a legal process involving much paper work, and it's not considered a 'right'. The same applies to freedom of speech - it's a legal right granted through the process of law, not something nature has bestowed on people. It's entirely up to the whim of whoever is in power, whether that right is granted or not.


Anyways, the point I was making is that it's silly to bite the hand that feeds. I hope that clarified things... He'll just have to make up for the lost revenue by focusing on non-American venues, obviously. It's just a shame when musicians enter into politics. Do what you do best, concert pianists: play the piano and leave the politics alone. It's annoying when composers start tackling politics, not to mention musicians getting in on the act....

The same applies to freedom of speech - it's a legal right granted through the process of law, not something nature has bestowed on people. It's entirely up to the whim of whoever is in power, whether that right is granted or not.

The same applies to freedom of speech - it's a legal right granted through the process of law, not something nature has bestowed on people. It's entirely up to the whim of whoever is in power, whether that right is granted or not.