{"id":71484,"date":"2021-06-28T16:51:53","date_gmt":"2021-06-28T20:51:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/?p=71484"},"modified":"2021-06-29T08:48:43","modified_gmt":"2021-06-29T12:48:43","slug":"the-scoop-renowned-violinist-pinchas-zukerman-under-fire-for-offensive-cultural-stereotypes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2021\/06\/28\/the-scoop-renowned-violinist-pinchas-zukerman-under-fire-for-offensive-cultural-stereotypes\/","title":{"rendered":"THE SCOOP | Renowned Violinist Pinchas Zukerman Under Fire For \u2018Offensive Cultural Stereotypes\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Pinchas
Pinchas Zukerman (Photo: Cheryl Mazak)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Internationally renowned violinist Pinchas Zukerman<\/strong> has come under fire\u00a0\u2014 <\/em>and apologized \u2014 <\/em>for racist remarks made during a recent online master class for The Julliard School.<\/p>\n

An editor at Violinist<\/em><\/a> watched the online 11th Starling-DeLay Symposium on Violin Studies<\/strong> in real time, and described it in a blog post. A video of two sisters performing Spohr’s Duo Concertante<\/em> began the master class. Then, the pair played for Zukerman.<\/p>\n

At several points, Zukerman interrupted their playing to make race-based remarks.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt’s almost too perfect, I mean that as a compliment,\u201d Zukerman said at one point. \u201cThink less about how perfect to play and to play together, and more about phrasing. A little more vinegar \u2014 or soy sauce!\u201d he laughed. \u201cMore singing, like an Italian overture.\u201d<\/p>\n

Later on, he commented further. \u201cSometimes if you have a question about how to play it, sing it,\u201d he said. \u201cI know in Korea they don’t sing.\u201d He went on to talk about the idea that there is no singing in Korean tradition, a contention that is factually untrue.<\/p>\n

The sisters are 14 and 17 years of age, were born in New York City, and are Japanese-French by background. Both are students at The Julliard School. One of them spoke up to mention that they were not Korean. As she explained their mixed heritage, he interrupted again.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn Japan they don’t sing either.\u201d He then went on to mimic a singsong vocal style that is seen as stereotypically Asian. \u201cThat is not singing. Violin is not a machine.\u201d<\/p>\n

After the performance, as he answered questions, he circled back to Korea. \u201cIn Korea they don’t sing,\u201d he repeated. \u201cIt’s not in their DNA.\u201d<\/p>\n

“Unfortunately, we will not be posting the video of Friday\u2019s final master class with Pinchas Zukerman, who in the course of the class used insensitive and offensive cultural stereotypes.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Starling-DeLay Violin Symposium Artistic Director Brian Lewis<\/strong> and Juilliard Director of Lifelong Learning John-Morgan Bush<\/strong> issued a joint statement in response to the incident, which was viewed in real time by about 150 participants.<\/p>\n

\u201cUnfortunately, we will not be posting the video of Friday\u2019s final master class with Pinchas Zukerman, who in the course of the class used insensitive and offensive cultural stereotypes. Those remarks did not represent the values of the Symposium or The Juilliard School. We have addressed this issue directly with the students involved and with Mr. Zukerman himself, who was a guest engaged for this symposium and has offered his apologies. On behalf of the Symposium and the school, we sincerely apologize to all attendees and again extend a personal apology to the recipients of those comments.\u201d<\/p>\n

Pinchas Zukerman as an educator<\/strong><\/h3>\n