Reflections On Race, Inequality And Classical Music

By Stefan Aune and Andy Fein of Fein Violins

George Bridgetower

Classical music has had an image of being mainly white people's music. Unfortunately, this has been fostered by Euro-centric orchestras and organizations for hundreds of years. But that image is not entirely true and never has been. This blog post will feature some of the finest historical musicians of color, a few contemporary musicians of color, and a commentary on the current of racism that has damaged classical music for far too long.

"Juba" by Florence Price, featuring-
Gabriela Diaz, violin Mina Lavcheva, violin Ashleigh Gordon, viola Seth Parker Woods, cello

"Vienna Philharmonic is an orchestra of white men playing music by white men for white people"
- Werner Resel, former Vienna Philarmonic Chairman

The Vienna Philharmonic-- Artistry and Discrimination

By Matt Lammers of Fein Violins

The Vienna Philharmonic, or Wiener Philharmoniker, has been an ambassador of musical greatness since its first concert of March 28, 1842. In recent years, however, the orchestra has been no stranger to controversy on an international scale. Their former policy that outrightly prohibited women from membership brought ongoing attention to the ensemble's race and gender demographics.While the media delights in its idiosyncrasies, the Vienna Philharmonic is an interesting case study in orchestral politics and ethics.

The Vienna Philharmonic playing Radetzky March, their signature piece, at the annual New Years Concert this past January