Latest: Now Toronto Symphony censors itself

Having fired Valentina Lisitsa for her pro-Kremlin politics, the Toronto Symphony boss Jeff Melanson quickly reeled in a Canadian pianist, Stewart Goodyear, to take her place at the piano.

But, after extraordinary scenes of confusion and indecision, he then decided to drop the concerto altogether from its programme, announcing:

Dear Patrons:

In light of this week’s events, the TSO has taken a decision to remove Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 2 from this week’s programme. The concert for Wednesday, April 8 and Thursday, April 9 will focus entirely on Mahler’s monumental Fifth Symphony. The concert begins at 8pm and will have no intermission.

This absurd instance of maladministration left poor Goodyear distressed and bewildered. MusicalToronto has his response here.

What a mess.