Christian Tetzlaff. Photo by Giorgia Bertazzi.
In Monday’s (3/3) San Francisco Chronicle, Aidin Vaziri writes, “Christian Tetzlaff, the acclaimed German violinist known for his expressive performances and frequent collaborations with the San Francisco Symphony, has canceled his upcoming U.S. tour, citing deep concerns over President Donald Trump’s policies. Tetzlaff, 58, announced his decision on Friday, Feb. 28, saying he was increasingly troubled by Trump’s embrace of Russia, cuts to the federal workforce and policy shifts affecting marginalized communities….. In an interview with the New York Times, [he described] his growing discomfort with the political climate in the United States. His decision means that Tetzlaff and his ensemble, the Tetzlaff Quartett, will forgo an eight-city tour this spring, set to kick off with a scheduled performance [in] San Francisco on March 21. He also indicated he is unlikely to return to the U.S. unless significant political changes occur. Tetzlaff is one of the first major international artists to withdraw from U.S. performances in protest of Trump’s second term…. The violinist, who has performed in the U.S. since 1988 … said, ‘Music sends messages about the human condition, about empathy and the heart. We have to uphold these ideals.’… When reached for comment on Tetzlaff’s canceled tour, the White House responded to the Times with a brief statement from spokesperson Harrison W. Fields: ‘America first.’ ”
