Facing intense backlash from Rachmaninoff enthusiasts and the Ukrainian-American community, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO) has apologized for using Russian propaganda imagery in promotional materials for its upcoming July 24–25 performances of Rachmaninoff’s Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, led by conductor Lidiya Yankovskaya.
Last night, BSO leadership issued a formal apology, removed the Russian symbols from their website and social media channels, and thanked the public for their feedback.
The orchestra acknowledged that using an image of Red Square was tone-deaf, given that Russia is currently killing civilians in Ukraine and systematically destroying its cultural heritage—including museums, libraries, and concert halls. This destruction mirrors the historical looting and burning of Rachmaninoff’s own estate by revolutionary Russian forces in 1917, leading to the loss of the composer’s personal archives, music library, and instruments.
Conductor Lidiya Yankovskaya addressed the situation, stating: "I am glad the orchestra has publicly apologized. I believe this will help better contextualize the program in relation to Rachmaninoff’s life and the current reality for so many people in Ukraine who have lost their homes and their homeland."
Read also: A Call for the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra to Remove Russian Imperial Symbols from Its Website
This incident marks a significant shift: it is one of the few instances—following the Metropolitan Opera’s decision to cut ties with Valery Gergiev and Anna Netrebko—where an American cultural institution has publicly acknowledged a mistake regarding the promotion of Russian state-aligned propaganda. Previously, such cancellations or programming changes were typically handled quietly, without explanation or apology.
Advocates hope this transparency will set a precedent for other American venues, such as the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra, which has faced mounting pressure for inviting Putin’s violinist Vadim Repin. A petition calling for the cancellation of his performance has already gathered approximately 700 signatures.
Author: Dmitry Smelansky
