The foreign policy spokesman for Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in the Bundestag acknowledged Wednesday that he holds a secondary position as professor emeritus at the Russian Academy of Music.
Cellist Matthias Moosdorf confirmed in a statement that he was teaching at the internationally renowned Gnessin Russian Academy of Music in Moscow, following media reports.
He has repeatedly held visiting professorships during his career as a musician, a position he said reflects and honors his achievements as a globally active chamber musician.
Mussdorf, who has been a member of the far-right AfD since 2021, cited the professorship as a sign of understanding and said, “I want to give (Russia’s) young people the feeling that they are not left behind by society.” “Music has no ideological boundaries,” Europe added.
He said he personally gave “a kind of free inaugural lecture” in Moscow for three days in September and plans to teach chamber music to ensembles there for a few days once a quarter, but that no contracts have been discussed.
According to German online news outlet T-Online, the Gnessin Academy is funded by the Russian Ministry of Culture.
In his statement, Moosdorf said he could not see the academy’s political leanings. “I’m not interested either. My work is solely devoted to music, the universal language of reconciliation and understanding.”
Konstantin von Notz, deputy parliamentary leader of Germany’s Green Party, criticized Mosdorf’s hiring at the academy. “It has once again become clear how close the relationship is between Moscow and the AfD,” he told T-Online.
“It is known only to the AfD itself how a foreign policy spokesperson can create credible policies while being funded by a dictatorship through an emeritus professorship,” von Notz added.
