The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra has removed Australian-British pianist Jayson Gillham from an upcoming performance for “introductory remarks” he made regarding the ongoing Israel-Hamas during a solo recital last weekend.

At a recital performance on 11 August at Iwaki Auditorium, Gillham gave the world premiere performance of Connor D’Netto’s Witness as an unannounced addition to the program that the MSO confirmed it had granted permission for. Written for Gillham, Witness is dedicated to journalists killed in the ongoing Gaza conflict.

Reportedly, Gillham’s introduction noted the specific targeting of journalists by Israeli forces. As a result, the MSO has removed Gillham from its Mozart and Brahms program on 15 August at Melbourne Town Hall, during which Gillham was to perform Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 12. Gillham’s name was removed from the online concert listing earlier today, with the addition of a note stating that an update to its repertoire ‘will be announced soon’.