In Thursday’s (9/15) Jerusalem Post (Israel), Jonny Paul reports, “The London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) has suspended four of its musicians following their call to cancel a performance of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO) in London earlier this month. The IPO played at London’s prestigious Albert Hall on September 1, as part of the BBC Proms, one of the most revered classic-music festivals in the world. Cellist Sue Sutherley and violinists Tom Eisner, Nancy Elan and Sarah Streatfeild signed a letter as LPO musicians calling for the BBC to cancel the concert. Published in the Independent newspaper on August 30 as part of a highly-politicized campaign criticizing the decision to host the IPO, the letter referred to Israel as an ‘apartheid state’ which impedes ‘in every way it can the development of Palestinian culture.’ … In a statement released on Tuesday, the LPO’s Chief Executive and Artistic Director, Timothy Walker, and Chairman Martin Hohmann said that the LPO’s board had made the decision to suspend the four to send ‘a strong and clear message that their actions will not be tolerated’ in the name of the LPO.”
Posted September 16, 2011
