Composer Connor D’Netto and pianist Jayson Gillham have released a recording of Witness on Bandcamp today, with all proceeds to be donated to Palestine Australia Relief and Action.

The cover for Witness. Album art © Connor D’Netto

Witness, a work dedicated to journalists in Gaza, was premiered by Gillham during a solo recital for the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra on 11 August. Citing his ‘introductory remarks’ to the work as cause, Gillham was removed from an upcoming performance with MSO. The decision became the catalyst of a wave of controversy for the orchestra, culminating with the departure of Managing Director Sophie Galaise.

D’Netto composed the work for Gillham to perform at a fundraising concert for the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund earlier this year.

“In the end he wasn’t able to fit it into that program, so we started to chat about ways this piece could still be used to fundraise in support,” said D’Netto.

“The most obvious and impactful thing we could...