The violinist responds to last week’s incident at the Kennedy Center, describing it as disruptive to his pre-performance concentration
Violinist and conductor Leonidas Kavakos says he was ‘thrown off balance’ when the audience at his 13 March Kennedy Center concert booed US vice president JD Vance shortly before he was due to play.
A chorus of boos and shouting erupted once Vance was spotted stepping into his box along with second lady, Usha Vance. The incident followed US president Donald Trump’s takeover of the Kennedy Center last month, where he announced himself as its new chair, replaced 13 board members and appointed interim president, foreign policy adviser Richard Grenell.
Kavakos described the incident as ‘shocking’ to Greek media outlet Kathimerini, saying the disruption was not ideal before walking on stage.
‘We knew the US vice president would be coming, which is why there was increased security measures in the hall. The moment before a concert starts is important for an artist’s concentration, and when something like that happens, it throws you off balance,’ he told Kathimerini.
‘The thoughts I had were the great contrast between the public protest and the negative energy it radiates and the connection of people through the silence when we played on stage and the positive energy of the concert itself. It was a lesson for me.
‘I don’t agree with protests inside concert halls, where we come to listen to music, which we respect for its value, but I understand that in the US people are not used to government interventions, like the one that took place at the Kennedy Center, and that may have been a factor that contributed to this protest. Politics often creates concern and anger, but we have to respect someone who is democratically elected.’
Kavakos went on to perform Violin Concerto no.2 by Shostakovich – a composer who used his works as a vessel for political protest and dissent – with the National Symphony Orchestra and conductor Gianandrea Noseda.
A number of prominent artists have cut ties with the Kennedy Center following Trump’s takeover and removal of ‘woke influences’ and diversity, equity and inclusion policies. After Trump fired chair David Rubenstein and president Deborah Rutter, soprano Renée Fleming resigned from her artistic advisor role, with producer Shonda Rimes and songwriter Ben Folds resigning from board and advisor roles respectively.
Additionally, musician Rhiannon Giddens, actress Issa Rae and author Louise Penny have cancelled appearances at the Center.
Read: Cellist Jean-Guihen Queryas issues statement on Ukraine, ahead of US concert engagements
Read: Angered by Trump admin policies, violinist Christian Tetzlaff abruptly cancels US tour
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