Yuja Wang Publicizes Email Accusing Norman Lebrecht of Misogynistic Bullying
Pianist Yuja Wang has made public an email exchange with writer, critic, and presenter Norman Lebrecht, accusing him of "derogatory misogynistic bullying." The incident has led to BBC Radio 3 ending its working relationship with Lebrecht.
Lebrecht had contacted Wang regarding her decision to withdraw from a scheduled Lebrecht Interview. In his email, he wrote:
I am surprised and disappointed. I thought you were a serious person who stood by her commitments. I may have to revise that opinion.
Wang shared a screenshot of this email on her official Instagram account, accompanied by her response:
@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 Ends Collaboration with Norman Lebrecht
Norman Lebrecht has had a longstanding relationship with BBC Radio 3, presenting lebrecht.live since 2000 and The Lebrecht Interview from 2006 to 2016, and again in 2024. However, Sam Jackson, controller of Radio 3, announced that the broadcaster will no longer be working with Lebrecht following the incident.
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.
Norman Lebrecht Responds to Allegations
Lebrecht addressed the situation, explaining the context of his email to Wang:
Yuja Wang had agreed with me a year ago to do a Lebrecht Interview for Radio 3. She kept putting it off until I lost patience and sent her an email that was perhaps a tad sharp. 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. She published the email, the BBC took a view and pulled my next series. I apologised to Sam Jackson and the BBC for any unintended embarrassment.
A BBC spokesperson confirmed that Lebrecht was not currently contracted for any future shows, though discussions regarding future guests were ongoing.
Lebrecht's Career and Wang's Upcoming Engagement
In addition to his work with BBC Radio 3, Lebrecht operates the classical music gossip website Slipped Disc, known for its popularity and occasional controversy. He has contributed to publications such as the Telegraph and the Evening Standard, and authored several fiction and nonfiction books.
Yuja Wang is en route to London for an upcoming performance. A representative confirmed that she had no further comments regarding the matter.
