Prominent Canadians speak out against the war on Gaza - Dr Anton Kuerti - Jan 08 2009

[mrviolin2001]

(part 1)

Oh please, Mr. Kuerti is a little bit confused and is really nowhere near being an expert on the real current situation over there. It’s hard to understand what goes on at the West Bank without actually being there. Anyway the truth is that Israel is not the one targeting schools, it's Hamas who does that. Should we be reminded of the many school buses they keep bombing? The "Gazans" are the ones that use their kids and wives for protection.

[mrviolin2001]

(part 2)

They're the ones hiding BOMBS in kids' schools and the ones sending their children on suicide bomb missions.

When Israel goes on assassination missions, it's because they're trying to eliminate terrorists. They don't assassinate innocent civilians. What other army, do you know, warns their enemy during a war? Hamas on the other hand does not think about their actions. Israel makes it clear that they’re going after the people who are trying to exterminate the Israelis.

[mrviolin2001]

(part 2.5)

They’re not going after the innocent ones. This is why they called every house in the area and threw thousands of warning papers, when they were targeting places that were hiding weapons.

[mrviolin2001]

(part 3)

What about all the cease fires when both sides promised to stop and Hamas kept throwing bombs? Israel kept taking all these terrorist attacks without fighting back. And you know what, Israelis do value every 1 of their people, unlike Hamas, so when this constant attacking takes place, they are entitled to defend themselves. Israel tried different ways of approaching this problem, but are now left with no other choice but to fight back.

[mrviolin2001]

(part 4)

Israel tried so many times to diplomatically solve this issue, however it is pretty obvious that Hamas has no intention on diplomatically speaking to Israel. The proportions are irrelevant here. It is their right to defend themselves. Sorry Mr. Kuerti, but they will not sit there and let people like you convince them that we should just wait until 6 more million Jews will be erased from this planet.

[mrviolin2001]

(part5)

Finally, how come if as you say these Palestinians are so innocent and non-harmful, no nation seems to agree on taking responsibility for them? But they actually seemed to cause trouble to every country they were in. And now everyone Israel seems to want to pass them on to, is strongly against taking care of their actions? Israel will leave those areas alone, once they can be reassured that this will be a safe decision.

[micheldvorsky]

Well, even if you are as great as you say you are, you're not a very nice chap.

[micheldvorsky]

And yes, I am an amateur pianist. It means I learn and perform music for the love of it -- is that something I should be embarassed about?

[banaliltes]

No, not at all. Amateurism is to be commended; after all, the word "amateur" itself derives from French and Latin for love. You have nothing to be embarassed about, at least for trying. As for those who have to listen to you, well, that's another matter, isn't it? At least show some compassion, and spare others the agony of wasting their time.

[micheldvorsky]

Lol. Asserting that I'm not a good pianist isn't quite proof that I'm not a good pianist. For a man of almost 60, you seem to be living proof that wisdom doesn't necessarily come with age.

[banaliltes]

@micheldvorsky You're right. Wisdom comes with experience and knowledge, and those are two categories which I can claim easily, with authority, and which you cannot. You are a bore, a bug, now run along. you have wasted enough of my time.

[banaliltes]

@micheldvorsky you are what I tell you you are. If I want your opinion, I will give it to you. Understand? And what makes you think I am sixty? Perhaps I'm ninety. Perhaps I am twenty. Perhaps my age has been determined by the Komitet Gosudarstenova Bizopastnosti. One just never knows. But rest assured, we know all about YOU.

[micheldvorsky]

@banaliltes Is that you in that Schubert video you posted? If so, you are indeed an old fellow. There's nothing wrong with that in itself. Old people can be delightful. The Schubert playing is quite nice and the fact that you love your Irish setter is quite touching. You gratuitous insults are notable for the fact that you seem to know how to turn a phrase. But unless you're joking about murdering me for expressing a differing opinion, I stick by my assertion that you're a mean old twat. :)

[banaliltes]

@micheldvorsky The person in the video you mention does not show his face, so you can not possibly have any idea how old he, or I mght be, or even if we are one and the same. I do, however, love dogs, but rest assured, I wouldn't allow as lovely a canine companion as an Irish Setter anywhere near the likes of you. For you, I would reserve two large American StaffordshireTerriers, aka Pit Bulls, with very sharp teeth. Do drop by. I'd love to introduce them to you. Mean? You have no idea!...

[banaliltes]

@micheldvorsky You mentioned that you own a vast collection of recordings by Richter. So what? That makes you a record collector, nothing more. If that is the basis for legitimizing your musical savoir faire, you are merely delusional.

[micheldvorsky]

@banaliltes What are your special qualifications to discuss musical matters?  I wasn't aware that being a hateful, bitter, old dickhead made someone any kind of authority...

[banaliltes]

@micheldvorsky My qualifications? Oh, trust me on this: plenty. More than you could ever imagine, or even come remotely close to achieving in a million years. now run along, kid, you are unnecessary.

[banaliltes]

Respond to this video...Given how impoverished your abilities and imagination, it is certainly something to be embarassed about. At the very least, do us all a favor, and keep your hopeless musical aspirations a private affair, rather than indulging and exposing the public to your tiresome inanity and worse, bad piano playing. As I said, and say again, stick to your day job, and do try to learn to play a scale properly. That alone will take you ten years.

[Margotgj]

And I wish Anton would come to london UK to play. Have not seen him since 1976 when I attended his masterclasses at the Conservatory. Margot

[Margotgj]

I think Anton would love the Barenboim/Said book 'Parallels and Paradoxes' which I re-read from time to time. It really touches the heart in many ways, and its reference points are fascinating... beyond the music and politics...architecture, literature and painting. Best wishes from Margot

[micheldvorsky]

Kuerti is a phenomenal musician, a phenomenal pianist, and a phenomenal interpreter. I love Kuerti and admire his artistry. But I really wish he wouldn't comment on these issues because he really doesn't know anything about the Middle East in specific or world politics in general.

[banaliltes]

With all due respect, and even though I cannot agree totally with Kuerti on these points, it is untrue to say that he knows nothing about politics. He has been active in and an authority on many political issues for decades. He has also run for high office in Canada. While you may disagree with his perspective, rest assured that his opinions are well informed.. As for his music making, while I respect it, he is a rather pedantic pianist, unerringly conscientious but pedestrian.

[micheldvorsky]

Well ain't this a delightfully surreal argument! In my opinion, trusting Kuerti as a political, but not a musical expert betrays an understanding of both politics and music. Calling him politically insightful after watching this video is about as ridiculous as calling his pianism in his stunning performance of the Schubert's Wanderer Fantasy "pedestrian" or "unerringly conscientious". He plays that work better than Richter, and I've heard about a dozen recordings of the work.

[micheldvorsky]

Furthermore, I've heard Kuerti live several times and attending his masterclasses. His Schumann Fantasie, especially the slow movement, was a revelation. Just because he is a wonderful interpreter of Beethoven doesn't mean he provides any insight into the rather complicated geopolitics of the Middle East. The fact that this embarassing video is one of the only ones of this great man on Youtube is a SCANDAL.

[micheldvorsky]

Hmm. You've accused me of plagiarism, ignorance, illiteracy, etc. These are rather strong claims to make about someone who you don't know and have never met. In most debates (on forums, youtube comments section etc.) we debate ideas, and not attack people. Just something to keep in mind when you're having arguments in the future.

[micheldvorsky]

@banaliltes Romanticizing the days in the USSR when people were "silenced" -- by force -- for expressing views that conflicted with authority? I'm glad I live in a society where sick and evil opinions like that are perfectly legal, and the their only punishment is being marginalized by polite society for being sick and evil.

[banaliltes]

@micheldvorsky The uninformed delusional doxa of a record collector -and that is you -- hardly rises to the level of authority, much less worthy of being taken seriously. Your so-called views are merely the detritus of lazy mind that deludes itself into believing it knows what its talking about. But the fact is, you have no idea what you're talking about, either in aesthetic or technical categories. So why not just run along, and stick to your day job.

[banaliltes]

@micheldvorsky And what would YOU know about the Schumann Fantasie? Nothing, I promise you. Absolutely nothing,

[banaliltes]

Evidently your arrogance is matched only by your illiteracy. I never referred to Kuerti as "politically insightful". Nor did I refer to his performance of the Wanderer. You merely jump to conclusions without engaging in anything approaching legitimate critique. As for Richter, who I knew well,: cross yourself when you say that name. Stay in school,, pay attention, and learn , to read. Don't make up facts as you go along, which betrays you as little more than disingenuous.

[betsyahundred]

Thank you, Dr. Kuerti, only voices as strong as yours will end the horror for Palestine and Israel, as well. Thank you. Please do not go into silence, but keep speaking as you can to support your fellow Jews of conscience who have the power to stop the outrage of horror.

[kfarm2001]

More and more voices like these will be heard. He is telling the truth.

[Noshirm]

Thank you, DR. Kuerti, for playing right into the hands of the terrorists. They thrill to such pious pratings as yours! It makes me sick to hear all these saintly condemnations of Israel. The terrorists 'win' even when they lose, and people like Kuerti simply add to the feathers in their cap. To all the bleeding hearts, I say: walk a day in the shoes of those you so roundly condemn, or put a cork in it!

[99thDimension]

Dr. Kuerti people like you make me proud to be Canadian. We will overcome this dark period of injustice and Canada will regain it's footing on the world stage again.

[yourpianoteacher]

Dr. Kuerti, you've expressed the feelings of every person of conscience. Your speech, like your music reaches the very heart, mind and soul of every sane listener. You speak much as you play...with utmost authority and conviction.

I've often been first to cry "BRAVO" at so many of your performances. It's now a privilege to do likewise for your profound speech.

This speech should appear on every TV network throughout the world, and you should be speaking at United Nations.

Thank you.