Why did pianist Evgeny Kissin cancel Hong Kong recital but not his other Asia tour dates?
Hong Kong government says it cancelled Russia-born Kissin’s recital for ‘scheduling reasons’, yet his nine other Asia concerts will go ahead
One of the most celebrated pianists of the past four decades, Russian-born Evgeny Kissin has often performed in Hong Kong.
Not any more, perhaps, after the cancellation of a recital he was due to give in the city in November.
Nine other concerts Kissin is giving in Asia – in Taiwan, South Korea and Japan – between November 7 and December 14 are going ahead.
Announcing the cancellation of the November 16 recital on October 21, the Hong Kong government’s Leisure and Cultural Services Department (LCSD) said Kissin “is unable to come to Hong Kong to perform as planned”.
The LCSD will keep Mr Kissin’s future tour schedule in view, and will consider organising a recital again when the opportunity arises
In its report on the cancellation, classical music news website Slipped Disc said: “Our sources say China may have banned Kissin over his hostile attitudes to its Russian ally, [President Vladimir] Putin.
