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Readers of The Strad are no doubt familiar with the recent plights of musicians attempting to board flights with their instruments. From cellos being denied onboard despite having secured a separate ticket, to violinists forced to travel with their instruments on their laps, there have been numerous incidents that cause musicians to approach air travel with understandable trepidation.
Serbian cellist Maja Bogdanović experienced an issue with security while passing through Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport on Monday 1 September, not because of her instrument, but another, unexpected item.
Bogdanović’s Bluetooth foot pedal, which was contained in her hand luggage, triggered a red alert at security. Within seconds, she was surrounded by five policemen.
She attempted to explain what the device was to the officers. ’I even said to them, ”I know it looks like a detonator, but it’s just a foot pedal,”’ she recalled.
’But that only made things worse. They asked, how do you know it looks like a detonator? I answered that another security officer at another airport (years ago) had told me that.
’People nearby started backing away as if I were dangerous. Even though you know you’ve done nothing wrong, it’s such an awkward, uncomfortable feeling.’
Bogdanović states that the officers remained polite but persistent in their questioning. At one point, they wrote down ’Food Pedal’ in their notes.
After some online research and explanations about foot pedals and their relevance to Bogdanović’s work as a performer, the officers allowed her to continue her journey.
Bogdanović was travelling en route to Odense, Denmark, where she will perform Shostakovich’ Cello Concerto no.1 this week with the Odense Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Eugen Tichindeleanu.
Having arrived at her hotel in Odense late last night, Bogdanović joked: ’Buy tickets for the explosive cellist. I might even bring a food pedal on stage.’