The Malevolent "Maestro"

A recent photo* (AI generated, so therefore a fake) is circulating around the internet. I see it as a true wannabe moment by someone who thinks he’s in charge of arts and culture for humanity. Of course, nothing could be further from the truth, despite claiming control of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and announcing that a new “Golden Age in Arts and Culture” is coming for America.

I don’t know what the “Golden Age in Arts and Culture” means to someone whose idea of great music includes Kid Rock or Ted Nugent. If that’s your genre, no offense intended. But for someone who blew off the Kennedy Center Honors and now intends to control the programming of this national treasure of an organization, some understanding and appreciation of the arts seems warranted. Instead, it will be controlled by a philistine. The artistic casualties are just beginning. The National Endowment for the Arts just cancelled a grant program that provided important arts programming for under-served and marginalized communities. DEI is now off the table for businesses and organizations. NPR is on Muskrat’s chopping block. Awful, disrespectful, short-sighted and mean.

I feel frightened of the fascist move toward legislating and controlling the arts. That’s what fascist and totalitarian regimes do – rein in the artists. Control the creatives. Legislate who gets to experience the arts. It’s happening before our eyes and it’s devastating.

I know many maestros and maestras in my life and work. A true maestro is someone who holds a place of leadership on the podium in front of an orchestra. “Eminent, distinguished. An artistic master.” From the Italian and Spanish word for “teacher,” “maestro,” in our musical world, infers deep respect. That fake photo is so offensive to those who truly inhabit the role. As if seizing control has anything to do with artistry, with the soul of music.

No one can control human creativity and artistry. They are trying, but so far all they’ve come up with is a hostile takeover of an arts organization and a doctored photograph.

*I won’t besmirch my pages with this photo, but if you really want to see it, go here.