Pianist Yuja Wang Accuses Radio 3's Norman Lebrecht of Misogynistic Bullying
In a dramatic public confrontation, acclaimed pianist Yuja Wang has accused writer, critic, and BBC Radio 3 presenter Norman Lebrecht of "derogatory misogynistic bullying" after he sent her a sharp email regarding her withdrawal from a scheduled interview. Wang posted the email exchange on her official Instagram account, sparking immediate backlash and leading the BBC to announce it will no longer work with Lebrecht.
The Email Exchange That Sparked the Controversy
Lebrecht had written to Wang expressing his disappointment over her decision to pull out of a BBC Lebrecht Interview, stating, "I am surprised and disappointed. I thought you were a serious person who stood by her commitments. I may have to revise that opinion." In response, Wang overlaid the email screenshot with a caption that read, "@normanlebrecht this derogatory misogynistic bullying need[sic] to stop. We are human beings who grow with nourishing energy, not characters for you to abuse."
BBC Radio 3 Severs Ties with Norman Lebrecht
Following Wang's social media post, Sam Jackson, controller of BBC Radio 3, took swift action. Jackson stated, "When we saw the social media post we took action – we have spoken to Norman Lebrecht and we will no longer be working with him at BBC Radio 3." Lebrecht, who has had a long-standing relationship with Radio 3 spanning over 25 years, including presenting shows like lebrecht.live and The Lebrecht Interview, is now effectively cut off from future collaborations with the station.
Lebrecht's Response and Apology
In his defense, Lebrecht explained that Wang had agreed to the interview a year prior but repeatedly postponed it, leading him to send what he described as a "perhaps a tad sharp" email. He insisted, "There was nothing bullying in telling her that I thought less of her than before, nor was it misogynistic: I would say the same to a male artist." However, he did apologize to Sam Jackson and the BBC for any unintended embarrassment caused by the incident.
Background on the Figures Involved
Norman Lebrecht is a prominent figure in classical music, known for running the controversial gossip site Slipped Disc and having worked for publications such as the Telegraph and Evening Standard. He is also an author of several books. Meanwhile, Yuja Wang, a world-renowned pianist, is currently en route to London to perform with the London Symphony Orchestra on Sunday, March 1. Her representative confirmed she has no further comment on the matter.
Implications for the Classical Music Industry
This incident highlights ongoing issues of professionalism and gender dynamics within the classical music world. The BBC's decision to distance itself from Lebrecht underscores a growing intolerance for behavior perceived as bullying or discriminatory. As discussions about future guests and contracts continue, this controversy may prompt broader conversations about respect and accountability in the arts.
