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Pianist sues Melbourne Symphony Orchestra for cancelling his concert allegedly over Gaza stance (www.theguardian.com)

submitted 22 hours ago* (last edited 21 hours ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

7 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Witness by Connor D'Netto is available for purchase through Bandcamp.

All proceeds from the Bandcamp release will be donated to Palestine Australia Relief and Action (PARA) para.org.au

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[–] [email protected] 11 points 21 hours ago* (last edited 21 hours ago) (2 children)

At a concert in the Iwaki Auditorium in Southbank on 11 August, Gillham played a short piece written by Connor D’Netto called Witness, which is dedicated to journalists who have lost their lives in the Gaza conflict.

Introducing the work, the pianist addressed the audience, stating more than 100 Palestinian journalists had been killed, and that the targeting of journalists in a conflict was a war crime under international law.

I cannot tell from this that he made a political statement at all, sounds like he just stated some facts. It doesn't seem like he said the Israel were even targeting journalists (something which could be reasonably made out as a political statement since there is no concrete evidence to suggest either).

[–] [email protected] 4 points 18 hours ago (1 children)

It was only political in the sense that Israel/Palestine is a political issue and referencing it at all is often labelled a "political" act. I've read the actual transcript of the speech and it was just stating statistics related to the theme of the piece. I am a little surprised he is suing though, he sounded more bemused than upset at the time and I thought it would be something they'd just put behind them after the backflip and investigation from the MSO.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 17 hours ago* (last edited 17 hours ago) (1 children)

I am a little surprised he is suing though, he sounded more bemused than upset at the time and I thought it would be something they’d just put behind them after the backflip and investigation from the MSO.

Gillham said at the time that he was "grateful" the incident had "put the plight of Palestinian journalists in the spotlight" (source). So I think it's possible he's using the opportunity of legal action to generate publicity for the issue.

The potential chilling effect that the MSO's actions could have on artists less able to defend themselves also makes it worth pursuing.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 17 hours ago

So I think it’s possible he’s using the opportunity of legal action to generate publicity for the issue.

Yes I did actually think this as well, interesting way to keep it in the news cycle. This story had pretty much died off until now.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 21 hours ago (1 children)

I updated the post to include a link to where folks can listen to and buy Witness by Connor D'Netto.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 8 hours ago (1 children)

Today is also Bandcamp Friday so artists get even more of the revenue from sales today

[–] [email protected] 1 points 8 hours ago

Is this website correct about it starting in 10 hours?