World-renowned British conductor Sir Simon Rattle has urged the government not to drastically cut vital tax breaks for orchestras following the collapse of regional arts funding.
Towards observer This weekend Rattle, who became famous in the 1980s with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, called on Westminster politicians not to let classical music and the wider arts be forgotten as more city and county councils face went bankrupt and decided to “disinvest” in art.
“The tax break for CBSO (set to be eliminated next year) has been a lifeline. If it is reduced further, it will be the next disaster,” he said.
“My time in Birmingham shaped my musical life. I’m very proud of where they were and how far they’ve come since.
“I realize now that I’m in a golden age where both political parties in town are supporting the arts and building concert halls.”
Larter, who is in London for the world premiere of John Adams’ work at the Barbican, also decried the “toxic notion” that art is only for the elite. “If we’re not careful, this will become a self-fulfilling prophecy. Everyone deserves the best – that was what made this country so special,” he said.
“This period of austerity is not the result of a natural disaster but a political choice and the next round of political choices is coming.”
The 69-year-old conductor, who grew up in Liverpool, became music director of the CBSO in 1990 and went on to conduct two of the world’s most prestigious orchestras: the Berlin Philharmonic and the London Symphony Orchestra. Although he has now returned to work in Germany, he remains conductor emeritus of the London Symphony Orchestra.
The CBSO is losing £630,000 a year as a result of Birmingham City Council’s decision to abandon all arts funding, an amount described by orchestra chief executive Emma Stenning this weekend as “tough but manageable at around 5%” of our Turnover”.
“It’s not a crisis point yet,” she told reporters observer”, “But if the current rate of tax relief, which is worth around £2m to us, continues, this could happen soon. Things can really start to fall apart, and not just here. “
Rutt called the parliamentary cuts a “terrible psychological blow”.
“It shows that the arts are not a priority at all,” he said. “We are being told to accept that it is no longer affordable and I understand the difficult situation facing councils across the UK.
“But in these complex times we need more creative talent, not less. Orchestras have to adapt and have done a lot. We have had 12 culture ministers since 2010, which speaks volumes , isn’t it?”
Tony Hall, who becomes CBSO board president in November 2023, said he sees the city as the “canary in the mine.”
“What we learn in Birmingham will soon have ramifications across the country,” he said. “Even if the council goes bankrupt, we need to defend the arts. Having them is not just a nice thing to have. It’s completely wrong. They are the answer to so many problems.”
Former BBC director-general Lord Hall is advocating for a new “overarching” arts plan for the country. “There doesn’t seem to be any strategy at all at the moment.
“We need a dialogue between councils, mayors, arts councils and central government,” he said. “Tax relief really has to continue or we’re going to lose everything.”
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