If present-day Russia claims, for example, Tchaikovsky as a "national treasure", then under present circumstances it makes sense not to perform him at the moment. Nothing against Piotr, everything against his appropriation. Perhaps though, a suitably contextualized performance of some Shostakovich might make the opposite point.
Politics and Music
The Trumpets of Jericho
Beethoven and Napoleon
Wagner and the Nazis
"Ohio" and the Vietnam War
"Imagine" and consumerism
The Dixie Chicks
Countless examples illustrate the intersection of Music and Politics. Jerry Garcia referenced his group as "just a dance band." Always pondered how we react to our choices of music. Divorce it entirely from the controversies of the day and merely enjoy the artistry or allow it to change the way in which we view the world. Transformative, escapism, nostalgia, intellectual profundity, cultural discovery. Large questions. Your thoughts?