(western) classical music discussion

[abaris]

Yeah, but as opposed to others he always played ball. The Nazis were beneath him, that's for sure, but he never did what others of his generation and fame did and could do without consequences. He never distanced himself, which is fine, since not everyone is a hero. But he didn't make even the least attempt to even flee the embrace of the regime. Which he could have done without even having to fear financial or career consequences.

The last stand he took was in 1933 when he tried to prevent jews being fired. In 1933 he became vice president of the so called Reichsmusikkammer, which answered directly to Goebbels. It is virtually undisputed that, together with Richard Strauss, he actively worked on jews not being allowed to perform in Germany.

At the same time, he already had a residence in Luzern and mainly lived there. An offer of the New York Philharmoics he refused to keep working in Nazi Germany. No, he certainly didn't see the irony. He was an opportunist of the first order. Needlessly so, since, as the offer for a position in New York proves, he was famous enough to work and perform virtually everywhere.