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Camden New Journal - By SUNITA RAPPAI
Published: 10 May 2007

'Starved out of existence' - says pianist John Lil (pictured left) with festival organiser George Vass

'Starved out of existence' - says pianist John Lill (pictured left) with festival organiser George Vass

Pianist sounds warning note for music

CLASSICAL musicians and orchestras are being starved out of existence by the government, one of Britain’s leading musicians has warned.
Speaking yesterday at a rehearsal for the opening concert of the Hampstead and Highgate festival at Hampstead Parish Church, pianist John Lill attacked the government for “systematically destroying” classical music.
Mr Lill, 63, who lives in South End Green and was awarded a CBE two years ago, said: “Orchestras and musical societies are being starved out of existence when the government is spending any amount of money on sport and pop. Once it’s gone it won’t come back.”
He added: “Pop music is a cancer to me. It’s about instant gratification and money-making. The fact that it’s everywhere is depressing. I feel sorry for youngsters and people at large who are being denied classical music. It is a destruction of quality.”

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