A 20-year-old Russian pianist who was scheduled to perform with a Montreal symphony orchestra had his concert cancelled following protest in the wake of Russia’s invasion into Ukraine. The Orchestre symphonique de Montréal (OSM) has cancelled Alexander Malofeev’s shows originally scheduled for March 9, 10, and 13, saying that his presence would “not allow the OSM to fulfill its essential mission to ‘convey the universal message that music unites peoples and cultures in a spirit of peace, fellowship, and human solidarity.'” The decision for Malofeev’s withdrawal from the concert series comes as the organization experiences mounting pressure from the Ukrainian community. Some OSM musicians also threatened to drop their performances if Malofeev stays to play, reported CBC News. In a Tuesday statement, OSM spokesperson Pascale Ouimet said the organization finds it “inappropriate” to receive Malofeev this week, though maintains praise for the piano prodigy. “We continue, however, to believe in the …
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