Yuja Wang accuses Radio 3’s Norman Lebrecht of misogynistic bullying | UK News

Pianist Yuja Wang today published an email written to her by writer, critic and Radio 3 presenter Norman Lebrecht, and her response accusing the journalist of “degrading bullying and misogyny”.

Lebrecht wrote to the musician inquiring about her decision to withdraw from a BBC interview with Lebrecht, saying: “I am surprised and disappointed. I thought you were a serious person who was keeping her commitments. I may have to revise that opinion.”

On her official Instagram account, Wang wrote her response to his email screen: “@normanlebrecht, this humiliating and misogynistic bullying needs to be… [sic] To stop. We are human beings who thrive on nourishing energy, not personalities that you can abuse.

Lebrecht has had a relationship with Radio 3 for over 25 years, presenting lebrecht.live since 2000, and interviewing Lebrecht from 2006 to 2016 and again in 2024; But Sam Jackson, the comptroller, said today their relationship would not continue.

Jackson said: “When we saw the post on social media we took action. We spoke to Norman Lebrecht and we will no longer be working with him at BBC Radio 3.”

“Yuja Wang agreed to me a year ago to do an interview with Lebrecht for Radio 3. She kept putting off the interview until she got impatient and I sent her an email that was perhaps a bit harsh. There was no bullying in telling her I thought less of her than before, nor was it misogynistic: I would say the same to a male artist. I published the email, the BBC took a view and pulled my next series. I have apologized to Sam Jackson and the BBC for anything unintended.” “Embarrassment,” Lebrecht said.

A BBC spokesperson confirmed that Lebrecht is not currently contracted for any future shows, but discussions are ongoing about future guests.

Lebrecht also runs a popular and controversial classical music website, Slipped Disc, has worked for newspapers including the Telegraph and the Evening Standard, and is the author of numerous books of fiction and non-fiction.

Wang is on her way to London where she will perform with the London Symphony Orchestra on Sunday, March 1. One of the actresses confirmed that she had no further comment to make.