He left the Moscow symphony in protest. Now he’s helping a small B.C. town take centre stage

Arthur Arnold, the former music director of the Moscow Symphony Orchestra, made a bold decision in February 2022 to resign from his position in protest of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. This decision led him to focus on his work in Powell River, B.C., a small town on the west coast with a population of 13,000.

Powell River, once centered around its pulp and paper mill, is now looking towards arts and culture as a way to revitalize the community. Arthur Arnold first visited Powell River in 2000 to conduct at the Kathaumixw International Choral Festival and fell in love with the city and its surroundings. He eventually met his wife, Kim Stokes, in Powell River, solidifying his connection to the town.

One of Arnold’s significant projects in Powell River is the Pacific Region International Summer Music Association (PRISMA), a two-week classical music festival that brings together students from around the world to learn and perform alongside guest artists. The festival culminates in a final performance on the beach, where the Tla’amin First Nation performs traditional songs backed up by a full orchestra.

Beyond the festival, Arnold’s influence in Powell River extends to town council meetings, where he has played his cello to calm tensions, and even to the local clinic during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. His work is seen as a way to fill the economic void left by the closure of the town’s major employer, the pulp and paper mill.

Arnold’s latest project involves transforming an empty space in a historic building into a performance hall with office space and storage for community arts groups. The rich cultural heritage of the Tla’amin First Nation and the town’s history of valuing arts and music make this project possible.

For residents like Nancy Hollmann, Arnold’s impact is personal. At 89, she picked up the bassoon again after Arnold found her an instrument for the amateur symphony he supports. Arnold believes that music is a powerful tool for community building and is grateful for the opportunity to connect people through music in Powell River.

Despite conducting in various places around the world, Arnold feels a deep connection to Powell River and its people. He describes the town as a beautiful, isolated community, akin to being on an island. Working in Powell River allows him to do what he loves in a setting that holds special meaning for him.