Conductor Lahav Shani has issued a personal statement following the cancellation of the Munich Philharmonic’s concert at the Flanders Festival Ghent, describing the decision as yielding to political pressure and “emptying the idea of music as reconciliation of all meaning.”
In a long message, Shani said he and two orchestras “dearest to [his] heart,” the Munich Philharmonic and the Israel Philharmonic, had been unwillingly drawn into “an unexpected public storm that quickly escalated into a diplomatic incident.” He added:
“From the moment the concert’s cancellation was announced, I received messages of support and encouragement, both privately and publicly, that moved me deeply. First and foremost, I am grateful to the musicians of the Munich Philharmonic and its leadership for their unwavering support, which filled me with even greater pride to be part of this orchestra.”
Shani underlined his long-standing public commitment to peace, noting that while Israeli society continues to mourn the victims of the October 7 Hamas attacks and the hostages still held in Gaza, it is “impossible to remain indifferent to the suffering of civilians in Gaza amidst the catastrophe this war has brought upon them.” He called for an end to the war “as soon as possible” and for a process of “healing and rebuilding for both societies.”
Reflecting on his position at the Israel Philharmonic, Shani evoked the legacy of Arturo Toscanini, Leonard Bernstein, and Zubin Mehta, and praised the orchestra as “a unique example of the freedom artists should have to perform.”
He concluded by thanking the Berliner Festspiele and the Berliner Philharmoniker Foundation for inviting the Munich Philharmonic to perform in Berlin after the Ghent cancellation: “It is the perfect example of the power of music — to connect people, not divide them.”
Ovations in Berlin
On September 15 The Munich Philharmonic and designated chief conductor Lahav Shani received ovations at the Konzerthaus Berlin, where they performed as part of Musikfest Berlin. The concert, arranged at short notice after the orchestra’s disinvitation from the Flanders Festival Ghent, featured Beethoven’s Violin Concerto with Lisa Batiashvili as soloist, alongside the Prelude and Isolde’s Liebestod from Wagner’s Tristan und Isolde.
The performance concluded to long applause, captured in a video shared by the orchestra on Instagram with the caption: “About last night: Thank you so so much ♥️.”
Meeting with the German President
On the day of the Berlin concert, Lahav Shani and his wife were received by German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier for a private meeting at Bellevue Palace. After the audience, Steinmeier issued a strong statement:
“The disinvitation of Lahav Shani and his orchestra from the Flanders Festival Ghent leaves me stunned. It cannot be justified. The appearance of a Jewish artist conducting a German orchestra is being made conditional on distancing himself from the Israeli government. That is clearly antisemitic. It reinforces the feelings of shock and helplessness currently experienced by Jews here and across Europe: they are being excluded, isolated, and friendships are breaking apart as a result of hatred, agitation, and prejudice. I was very glad to meet Lahav Shani and his wife in person today. His attitude and courage are deeply impressive.”
A photo of the meeting at Bellevue Palace was shared alongside the message.
PH: .bundespraesident.de
Tour stop in Essen
Prior to Berlin, the Munich Philharmonic performed in Essen, where Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever attended the dress rehearsal. He stated: “I am here today to tell you in person that we do not support the festival’s decision. There is no place for antisemitism and racism in Belgium. Never.”
The orchestra shared the encounter on Instagram with the caption: “Yesterday’s tour stop: @philharmonie_essen 🎶 And at our dress rehearsal we had a very special guest!”
Background: Ghent cancellation
The Flanders Festival Ghent cancelled the Munich Philharmonic’s appearance on 18 September, citing Shani’s role as music director of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra. In its statement, the festival said that although Shani had spoken in favour of peace, it could not provide “sufficient clarity about his attitude to the genocidal regime in Tel Aviv.” The organisers explained the decision was taken “in line with the call from the Minister of Culture, the city council of Ghent and the cultural sector in Ghent,” and framed it as a measure to safeguard the serenity of the festival in the context of the war in Gaza.
The move sparked widespread criticism, with the City of Munich, the Munich Philharmonic, and Berlin’s cultural institutions condemning the decision as discriminatory. A petition launched by Mahan Esfahani, Joshua Weilerstein, Danny Driver, and Kyril Zlotnikov has since gathered hundreds of signatures, including many leading musicians, calling for the cancellation to be reversed.
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