Russian conductor Tugan Sokhiev resigns from all his posts in Moscow and Toulouse – Le Monde

Silent since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, the Russian conductor Tugan Sokhiev has finally decided to give up his mandates both in Russia and in France. “I have decided to resign from my duties as musical director of the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow and the Orchester national du Capitole in Toulouse with immediate effect”, announced the musician, Sunday, March 6. In a letter addressed to his agent, Sylvie Bouchard, then published on Facebookthis world-renowned chef, born in North Ossetia in 1977, specifies: “I will always be against any conflict in any form. » And adds: “We, musicians, are there to recall through the music of Shostakovich the horrors of war. We musicians are the ambassadors of peace. »

Appointed to conduct the Orchester national du Capitole (ONCT) in 2008, Tugan Sokhiev was to perform in Toulouse on March 18 and 25. Pressed last week to speak about the conflict by the town hall of Toulouse, the conductor responded by putting an end to all his contracts and responsibilities. “It is impossible for me to choose between my beloved Russian and French musicians. I will soon be asked to choose between Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky, Shostakovich and Beethoven, Brahms, Debussy, he denounces. I can’t bear to witness how my colleagues, artists, actors, singers, dancers, directors, are threatened, treated disrespectfully and victimized by “cancellation culture”. »

World renown

A graduate of the Saint Petersburg Conservatory in 2001, the Russian quickly became principal conductor of the Russian Symphony Orchestra and artistic director of the Philharmonic Orchestra of North Ossetia. He has since conducted the greatest orchestras, such as the London, Munich, Stockholm, Berlin and Oslo Philharmonies. Unanimously recognized for his interpretations of Prokofiev or Rachmaninoff, he had taken over from Toulouse Michael Plasson, now the world-renowned Orchester du Capitole, giving hundreds of concerts in its hallmark Halle aux grains. In the Pink City, he had moreover launched in 2019 the Franco-Russian Musicales, a classical music festival whose 2022 edition has not been renewed.

Tugan Sokhiev, musician: “I regularly invited Ukrainian singers and conductors. We never thought about our nationalities”

Tugan Sokhiev’s contract with the City was due to end in June 2022. “This festival is now contested by the authorities of the city of Toulouse. That’s a shame “, comments Tugan Sokhiev, who adds that “Both in Toulouse and at the Bolshoi Theatre, I regularly invited Ukrainian singers and conductors. We never thought about our nationalities. » The mayor (Les Républicains) Jean-Luc Moudenc, whose city is twinned with Kiev, reacted by respecting “Tugan Sokhiev’s desire to end our collaboration three months in advance”. “This news saddens me.continued the aedile, but we never expected or, worse, demanded that Tugan make a choice between his native country and his city of heart, Toulouse. However, it was unthinkable to imagine that he would remain silent in the face of the war situation. » It is now done.