According to some sources, Russian pianist Alexei Lubimov raised his fist while he continued to play music by one of Ukraine’s most beloved composers, Valentin Silvestrov, as Russian police stood over him telling him to stop. He went on to finish playing the composition.
The music Alexei performed that day, along with soprano Yana Ivanilova, featured works by famed Ukrainian composer Valentin Silvestrov, who himself fled his war torn country in March out of fear of his family getting hurt.
Apparently the police arrived after receiving an anonymous tip of a bomb threat but according to other accounts the evening’s choice of music was the trigger.
Halldór is the managing editor of Shouts - Music from the Rooftops!, an investigative journalist, audio engineer, and animal rights activist. Currently based in Cuernavaca, Mexico.
