After more than 15 years of self-imposed exile from his homeland, the celebrated pianist Andras Schiff has announced his intention to return to Hungary. The decision comes in the wake of the recent electoral defeat of Prime Minister Viktor Orban, whose leadership Schiff has long protested.
In a recent interview with the New York Times, Schiff expressed that he was “stunned and gratified” by the landslide victory of the opposition movement led by Peter Magyar. The 72-year-old pianist, a renowned interpreter of Bach and Mozart, has not set foot in Hungary since 2010, the same year Orban began his long tenure as Prime Minister.
A stance against strongmen
Schiff has become one of the most politically vocal figures in the classical music world, famously refusing to perform in countries led by what he describes as “strongmen.” This list currently includes Russia and the United States.
“I said if he’s no longer in power then I will come back. And this is what’s happening now,” Schiff told the NYT. While no specific concert dates have been confirmed, he noted that a return performance is expected to take place within the current calendar year.
Continued boycott of the United States
While the political shift in Budapest has prompted a change of heart regarding Hungary, Schiff remains firm in his refusal to perform in the United States. Last year, the pianist cancelled high-profile appearances with the New York Philharmonic and the Philadelphia Orchestra, as well as a recital at Carnegie Hall, in protest of President Trump’s administration.
Regarding a potential return to American stages, Schiff stated he is “going to wait for a change,” specifically citing his disapproval of the current administration’s rhetoric and its alignment with leaders like Orban.
The artist’s obligation
Schiff defended his activist stance by citing historical precedents, including Beethoven’s rejection of Napoleon and Béla Bartók’s departure from fascist Hungary in 1940. For Schiff, speaking out is a matter of conscience.
“To me, it’s an obligation for my own conscience,” Schiff said, though he acknowledged that other artists, such as conductor Gianandrea Noseda, have chosen to continue performing in Washington despite the political climate. “History gives the answer,” he concluded regarding the choice between vocal protest and professional neutrality.
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