22/01/2026
AN OPEN LETTER TO MAESTRO ZUBIN MEHTA
Dear Maestro,
Dear Zubin
35 years ago on the stage of Massada, prior to Mahler’s Resurrection symphony, you addressed the Russian authorities with a plea to free Lena Keis, then a ten years refusenik, from the iron walls of the then Soviet Union, and join me, her sister and then a violinist of the Israeli Philharmonic Orchestra.
And miracle happened! The next day my sister was freed!
Your voice, voice of a Great Artist and a man of noble soul was heard!
I will never forget that.
I will also never forget that you specifically came to Israel on several occasions during war time to stand by us.
I will never forget hundreds of concerts, thousands of rehearsals -mornings and evenings, countless tours around the world and my happiness to play under your button.
Over more then four decades we were one family, bringing beautiful music to our audience in Israel and worldwide, regardless of presidents, premiers, politicians and political parties.
We represent art, friendship, humanity, culture and hope.
On October 7, 2023, Hamas backed by Iran and Hezbollah, launched the most terrible attack on humanity since World War II. Babies were burned alive, women r***d and slaughtered, men, women, the elderly and toddlers were dragged from their beds, shoeless, to the tunnels of Gaza. All basic human rules were broken. Horror. At that time I did not hear your voice.
We wish for peace, not for victory.
Maestro, I am not a politician, and I hope you are not too.
I appreciate you so much and am confident that the voice I heard now is not your voice.
Great Zubin, please don’t forget yourself, don’t forget us, your music, your life!!
Anna Rosnovsky, former first violinist of Israel Philharmonic Orchestra
