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Vasily Petrenko must resign over his comments about female conductors Vasily Petrenko must resign over his comments about female conductors
(14 days later)
Last week, speaking about his new post as chief conductor of the Oslo Philharmonic, Vasily Petrenko made some highly controversial comments about why there are not more women conducting major orchestras.Last week, speaking about his new post as chief conductor of the Oslo Philharmonic, Vasily Petrenko made some highly controversial comments about why there are not more women conducting major orchestras.
The Russian maestro told the Oslo newspaper Aftenposten that orchestras respond better to male conductors because men "often have less sexual energy and can focus more on the music", adding that "a sweet girl on the podium can make one's thoughts drift towards something else". He also claimed that "when women have families it is difficult to be as dedicated as is required in this business".The Russian maestro told the Oslo newspaper Aftenposten that orchestras respond better to male conductors because men "often have less sexual energy and can focus more on the music", adding that "a sweet girl on the podium can make one's thoughts drift towards something else". He also claimed that "when women have families it is difficult to be as dedicated as is required in this business".
Petrenko is also the chief conductor of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and, at 37, is considered one of the world's most promising young maestros. Both of his orchestras have a high global profile and he is a role model for musicians around the world. For this reason, he should be forced to resign from both positions over these archaic and damaging comments. If the CEO of any major corporation publicly declared that having a "sweet girl" at the head of the table in board meetings made it difficult for the others to concentrate because there was too much "sexual energy", they would certainly lose their job – and rightly so.Petrenko is also the chief conductor of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and, at 37, is considered one of the world's most promising young maestros. Both of his orchestras have a high global profile and he is a role model for musicians around the world. For this reason, he should be forced to resign from both positions over these archaic and damaging comments. If the CEO of any major corporation publicly declared that having a "sweet girl" at the head of the table in board meetings made it difficult for the others to concentrate because there was too much "sexual energy", they would certainly lose their job – and rightly so.
The comments have understandably provoked anger among many musicians and concert-goers. Petrenko himself has responded with some clumsy backtracking, claiming that he was talking about "the situation in Russia, my homeland" and pointing out that his wife is a choral conductor. But there has been no talk of him standing down from his conducting positions in Oslo or Liverpool, and the reality is that this is all too likely to be swept under the carpet.The comments have understandably provoked anger among many musicians and concert-goers. Petrenko himself has responded with some clumsy backtracking, claiming that he was talking about "the situation in Russia, my homeland" and pointing out that his wife is a choral conductor. But there has been no talk of him standing down from his conducting positions in Oslo or Liverpool, and the reality is that this is all too likely to be swept under the carpet.
Instead of coming down hard on Petrenko, the Liverpool Philharmonic issued a weak and noncommittal statement from chief executive Michael Eakin, saying that the comments "do not reflect the Liverpool Philharmonic's experience of working with Vasily for more than seven years and what we know of him and his personal attitude". The Oslo Philharmonic has shown no signs of taking action either, with Petrenko opportunistically inviting anyone who objected to his comments to "come to a concert to experience what it's all about". These responses effectively condone Petrenko's comments and are symptomatic of an unfortunate reality in the classical music world: the covert acceptance of sexism.Instead of coming down hard on Petrenko, the Liverpool Philharmonic issued a weak and noncommittal statement from chief executive Michael Eakin, saying that the comments "do not reflect the Liverpool Philharmonic's experience of working with Vasily for more than seven years and what we know of him and his personal attitude". The Oslo Philharmonic has shown no signs of taking action either, with Petrenko opportunistically inviting anyone who objected to his comments to "come to a concert to experience what it's all about". These responses effectively condone Petrenko's comments and are symptomatic of an unfortunate reality in the classical music world: the covert acceptance of sexism.
Classical music is a world steeped in tradition; you only have to look at the outfits the musicians wear on stage to see that. So perhaps it's not surprising that historically, it has proved to be one of the slower sections of society to catch on to gender equality. The Berlin Philharmonic, often referred to as the world's best orchestra, did not appoint its first female musician until 1982, and the Vienna Philharmonic didn't open its membership to women until 1997.Classical music is a world steeped in tradition; you only have to look at the outfits the musicians wear on stage to see that. So perhaps it's not surprising that historically, it has proved to be one of the slower sections of society to catch on to gender equality. The Berlin Philharmonic, often referred to as the world's best orchestra, did not appoint its first female musician until 1982, and the Vienna Philharmonic didn't open its membership to women until 1997.
Things have improved vastly since then, with many of the most prestigious orchestras now led by female violinists. But Petrenko is right that there are still very few good female conductors. Everyone always mentions Marin Alsop – who on Saturday will be the first woman to conduct the Last Night of the Proms – and Simone Young, but the truth is that behind closed doors, off the record, musicians' comments about these women tend to be less than positive.Things have improved vastly since then, with many of the most prestigious orchestras now led by female violinists. But Petrenko is right that there are still very few good female conductors. Everyone always mentions Marin Alsop – who on Saturday will be the first woman to conduct the Last Night of the Proms – and Simone Young, but the truth is that behind closed doors, off the record, musicians' comments about these women tend to be less than positive.
That's not because women in general are no good at conducting. It's because so few women have ever had the confidence or opportunity to stand in front of an orchestra and command it with the authority and energy required so that, quite naturally, the best female conductors are not yet as good as the best men. And with attitudes like Petrenko's being allowed to prevail in the music world, this is hardly surprising.That's not because women in general are no good at conducting. It's because so few women have ever had the confidence or opportunity to stand in front of an orchestra and command it with the authority and energy required so that, quite naturally, the best female conductors are not yet as good as the best men. And with attitudes like Petrenko's being allowed to prevail in the music world, this is hardly surprising.
It is also true that women in music, as in the business world, still bear the brunt of starting a family. For freelancers in particular, having children is a huge gamble. In an industry that relies so heavily on contacts, even six months out of work can mean a musician is forgotten. Several high-profile female musicians have told me they felt compelled to make a choice between having children and a career as a soloist.It is also true that women in music, as in the business world, still bear the brunt of starting a family. For freelancers in particular, having children is a huge gamble. In an industry that relies so heavily on contacts, even six months out of work can mean a musician is forgotten. Several high-profile female musicians have told me they felt compelled to make a choice between having children and a career as a soloist.
If we are ever to begin to change attitudes and create an environment in which women are judged entirely on their musicianship rather than their gender, we have to make it very clear that attitudes like Petrenko's are unacceptable.If we are ever to begin to change attitudes and create an environment in which women are judged entirely on their musicianship rather than their gender, we have to make it very clear that attitudes like Petrenko's are unacceptable.
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