Toronto Symphony Orchestra pull Rachmaninov following Lisitsa controversy.

The Toronto Symphony Orchestra has announced that it will no longer be giving a controversial performance of Rachmaninov’s second Piano Concerto this week. The decision follows a huge public outcry on social media after it emerged on Monday that Ukrainian pianist Valentina Lisitsa, who was originally due to perform the piece on Wednesday and Thursday evening, had been fired in light of allegedly “offensive” tweets regarding the Russian military involvement in the Ukraine. Lisitsa quickly rallied support via her formidable social media presence, and called for her followers to lobby the TSO to reinstate her, prompting hundreds to leave comments relating to the dismissal on TSO’s social media platforms.

In a statement released earlier today, the TSO management said, “In light of this week’s events, the TSO has taken the decision to remove Rachmaninov‘s Piano Concerto No. 2 from this week’s programme.” It continued, “The concert for Wednesday, April 8 and Thursday, April 9 will focus entirely on Mahler’s monumental Fifth Symphony.”

Some Canadian media have reported that the decision to fire Lisitsa from the performance followed a threat from a Ukrainian donor to the orchestra, who said they would withdraw their funding if the performance was allowed to go ahead as originally advertised, although this is currently unconfirmed.

Ticket holders for the performances have been placated with the offer of a free ticket to a future TSO performance, or a full refund, however the announcement that the concerto will no longer be performed has proven to be a crushing disappointment for Canadian pianist Stewart Goodyear, who had been booked at short notice to replace Lisitsa.

In a statement published on Goodyear’s facebook page, the pianist described being subjected to “words of bile and hatred” from Lisitsa supporters, saying, “suddenly I was accused of censorship, and bullied into declining this engagement. What started out as one of the happiest moments of my life turned into a shattering display of mob hysteria.”

Goodyear also shared his disapproval of Lisitsa’s online calls to boycott the Toronoto Symphony Orchestra. “With all due respect to the pianist I was going to replace, one must own one’s opinions and words, and have the courage to defend her position without hiding behind the pseudonym, “NedoUkarinka”” he said in reference to Lisitsa’s Twitter handle. “Her words offended many people who perceived her as pro-violence and anti-love. Her most recent “plea” to her fans and followers to attach the orchestra that released her of her performance schedule was unfortunate. Free speech has consequences, and one must own one’s position. Dragging other people who have nothing to do with her position does nothing constructive,” he continued.

Goodyear concluded his facebook post by saying, “Many people demanded that I respond to their Twitter tirades. Here is my response: I am an artist, not a politician; a lover of all people, not an ambassador for hatred; a human being with a name, not a pseudonym.”

Meanwhile Lisitsa in a display of defiance has attempted to stage a rival performance of Rachmaninov’s Concerto in Toronto while she is in the city this week. She had announced that she would be performing the piece at the Church of the Holy Trinity on Wednesday and Thursday evening, but later had to withdraw the announcement after the venue backed out. 

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