The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra faced controversy after initially canceling future performances by classical pianist Jayson Gillham, but later backtracking on their decision.
MSO Acknowledges Error
In a new statement, the MSO admitted that they made a mistake in asking Gillham to step back from his scheduled performance on August 15th.
Gillham’s Performance and Controversy
Over the weekend, Gillham performed “Witness,” a composition dedicated to journalists in Gaza. He criticized the deaths of journalists in Gaza and referred to them as war crimes.
Despite being a regular performer with the MSO, Gillham was removed from the concert lineup on Thursday, leading to backlash from various groups who labeled it as censorship.
MSO’s Response and Reversal
The MSO initially stood by their decision but later accepted Gillham’s concerns. However, they decided to cancel the Thursday evening concert citing safety concerns.
In a statement to Variety, management explained the decision to cancel based on recent events and apologized to attendees. They expressed regret for asking Gillham to step back and indicated ongoing discussions to reschedule the concert.
While emphasizing that a concert platform isn’t for political commentary, the MSO acknowledged Gillham’s perspective on the Middle East conflict.
Gillham’s Acceptance and Media Reports
Gillham accepted the MSO’s apology and expressed eagerness to continue their collaboration. On a different note, the Committee to Protect Journalists highlighted the deaths of journalists during the Israel-Hamas conflict.
FAQs
Q: What was the initial controversy regarding Jayson Gillham’s performances with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra?
A: The MSO initially canceled future performances by Gillham due to his remarks during a concert regarding the conflict in Gaza, leading to accusations of censorship.
Q: How did the MSO respond to the backlash against their decision?
A: The MSO later backtracked on their decision, acknowledging that they made an error and accepting Gillham’s concerns. They decided to cancel a concert due to safety concerns but expressed intentions to reschedule.
Q: What was Jayson Gillham’s response to the MSO’s apology?
A: Gillham accepted the MSO’s apology and looks forward to continuing their working relationship in the future.
Q: What did the Committee to Protect Journalists report in relation to the conflict in Gaza?
A: The Committee to Protect Journalists reported that 113 journalists have been killed during the Israel-Hamas war.
