Music is a language, they say, but why is it so masculine in classical music?
Why women came to the orchestra very late in Central Europe has socio-political reasons. Hence the long held opinion that a man plays the piano better than a woman …
The cello, for example, was an instrument that was long considered immoral for women. The spike was introduced around 1860 to support the instrument. Long afterwards, women were only allowed to play the cello in the Amazon seat with both legs on one side.
In fact, as a kid, I didn’t want to learn it for that reason. I was encouraged by many to learn the cello. But I said: No, I can’t imagine that as a lady. I was seven or eight years old then (laughs). But if we bring up this topic, men shouldn’t play the cello anymore either – because of the man spreading (laughs even more).
Culture likes to strive for the image that the people acting in it behave in a very cultivated manner. In the novel “Die Dirigentin” by Maria Peters, which was recently made into a successful film, and which is about the stony path of a musician with ambitions, it says: “The music world is very devious.” What is your impression?
Not only that. I always say that classical music is worse than the rock scene. I am living proof that a great many young people are still being burned to death in the large house system. I can confirm that and am still an incorrigible optimist.
Is it really worse in classical music than in pop and rock?
All that glitters is not gold. I am not making friends with this statement now, but it has to be discussed sometime. For a long time and for many decades, the classical music scene was an industry in which certain people were only allowed onto the stage through certain relationships. Or because they gave in and ended up in bed with someone or had to end up in order not to sacrifice their careers.
It was not dissimilar to me. I deliberately said “no” and there are also witnesses to his assault that day. But I’ve been told by lawyers and agencies you don’t stand a chance. I decided not to mention the name. It was difficult to make peace after I also realized that there are indeed black lists of singers who said “no”. And which are then not allowed to enter certain stages. (Editor’s note: FREIZEIT is aware of the details of the incident; for media law reasons, they will not be printed)
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