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...