The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra has come under fire for cancelling a performance by acclaimed pianist Jayson Gillham, who dedicated a piece to slain journalists in Gaza. Gillham was removed from the event after the MSO deemed his introductory remarks at a previous performance to be outside the scope of his contract. The concert, originally scheduled to continue without Gillham, was ultimately cancelled due to safety concerns.
The MSO issued a statement acknowledging their mistake in asking Gillham to step back from the performance and expressed intentions to reschedule the concert with him. While maintaining that a concert platform is not appropriate for political comments, the MSO recognized Gillham’s concerns for those in the Middle East and elsewhere.
Gillham accepted the orchestra’s apology and expressed his commitment to their continued working relationship. The piece that led to Gillham’s removal, Witness by Connor D’Netto, was dedicated to the journalists of Gaza and highlighted the dangers they face in documenting war crimes.
The decision to remove Gillham sparked backlash from the Australian Music Students’ Association, the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance, and others. They condemned the MSO’s actions as silencing artistic expression and disrespecting the memory of slain journalists. D’Netto described Witness as a contemplative piece urging listeners to acknowledge and confront the horrors happening globally.
Overall, the incident highlighted tensions between artistic expression and political sensitivities, with calls for the MSO to rectify the situation and support the freedom to express opinions without fear of retribution.
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