The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) has found itself in hot water after cancelling a concert featuring pianist Jayson Gillham. The cancellation followed Gillham’s comments during a previous performance about the killing of Palestinian journalists in Gaza.
The MSO initially justified the cancellation by citing safety concerns and stating that their concert platform was not an appropriate place for political commentary. However, following widespread criticism, the organization has backtracked, admitting that an ‘error’ was made in asking Gillham to step down from his performance. They are now attempting to reschedule the concert.
The controversy began when Gillham, during a concert last weekend, dedicated a piece by Australian composer Connor D’Netto to the memory of Palestinian journalists killed in Gaza. He spoke about the situation, stating that over the past 10 months, Israel has killed more than 100 Palestinian journalists, including prominent journalists who were specifically targeted while travelling in marked press vehicles or wearing press jackets. He labelled the killing of journalists as a war crime under international law and asserted that it was a tactic to prevent the documentation and broadcasting of war crimes to the world.
The MSO’s initial response was to cancel Gillham’s upcoming concert, citing safety concerns and their stance against using the concert platform for personal views. This decision was met with strong condemnation, including from the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA), the union representing musicians. The MEAA expressed their concern over the MSO’s action, highlighting the historical use of music and art as platforms for political commentary and expressing worry about the compromise of freedom of expression within the creative workforce. They also voiced solidarity with both Gillham and journalists working in Palestine.
Faced with the backlash, the MSO issued a revised statement, acknowledging the error in their decision to cancel Gillham’s performance. They apologized to those planning to attend the concert and are now working to reschedule it. While reaffirming their stance against using the concert stage for political commentary, the MSO acknowledged Gillham’s concerns for those in the Middle East and acknowledged the strength of feelings on all sides of this issue. They also recognized the dedication and commitment of their musicians and staff.
The cancellation of Gillham’s concert continues to be a subject of debate. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), an independent organization advocating for press freedom, has reported that over 100 journalists have been killed since the outbreak of the war in Gaza. The Israel Defense Forces have maintained that while they do not intentionally target journalists, they cannot guarantee their safety in the region.
This incident highlights the complex and sensitive nature of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the challenges of balancing freedom of expression with concerns for safety and security. It also raises questions about the role of artistic platforms in addressing political and social issues.
