As per the Jewish Agency, Kissin was presented with his Israeli identification card and passport by Sofa Landver, Minister of Immigration and Absorption, as well as one Natan Sharansky. Here, then, is his proud, fiery statement on the occasion:
"I am a Jew, Israel is a Jewish state--and since long ago I have felt that Israel, although I do not live there, is the only state in the world with which I can fully identify myself, whose case, problems, tragedies and very destiny I perceive to be mine. If I, as a human being and artist represent anything in the world, it is my Jewish people, and therefore Israel is the only state on our planet which I want to represent with my art and all my public activities, no matter where I live. When Israel's enemies try to disrupt concerts of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra or the Jerusalem Quartet, I want them to come and make troubles at my concerts, too: Because Israel's case is my case, Israel's enemies are my enemies, and I do not want to be spared of the troubles which Israeli musicians encounter when they represent the Jewish State beyond its borders. I have always deeply despised chauvinism and have never regarded my people to be superior to other peoples; I feel truly blessed that my profession is probably the most international one in the world, that I play music created by great composers of different countries, that I travel all over the world and share my beloved music with people of different countries and nationalities--but I want all the people who appreciate my art to know that I am a Jew, that I belong to the People of Israel. That's why now I feel a natural desire to travel around the world with an Israeli passport."
It is no great surprise as Kissin, who currently lives in the U.K. and is a British citizen, has been very vocal and articulate in his support for Israel over the past few years. But he joins the Jewish state at a time when, musically, they seem to be going through a second golden period--the first being that magical time when talents of the magnitude of Pinchas Zukerman, Daniel Barenboim, Mischa Maisky and Itzhak Perlman poured out of that little country (Barenboim, of course, having gone to Israel from Argentina).
Kissin will be joining an equally talented batch of Israeli classical artists, many of them very much of today's generation, restlessly innovative and looking for ways to reach new audiences. Among this latter group are the likes of pianist and conductor David Greilsammer (signed to Sony, just founded the Geneva Chamber Orchestra), fellow conductor Ilan Volkov (whose "Tectonics" events bring cutting-edge music to big audiences) and mandolin player Avi Avital (with that new album blending classical and world music). Plus pianist Inon Barnatan, mezzo Rinat Shaham, soprano Chen Reiss (actually there's a bit of a bumper batch of fine Israeli sopranos just now), conductors like Dan Ettinger, Omer Wellber and Lahav Shani...there are so many!
One thing is for sure, though. Even in the most exulted company, a Kissin will always stand out.
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