A Russian pianist's shows are canceled, even though he condemns the war in Ukraine

https://www.npr.org/2022/03/12/ [login to see] /a-russian-pianists-shows-are-canceled-even-though-he-condemns-the-war-in-ukraine
Russian pianist Alexander Malofeev, 20, has condemned his native country's invasion and war against Ukraine. But that hasn't kept a string of his concerts from being canceled in Canada, from Montreal to Vancouver. Arts organizations cite the war's terrible toll on civilians, expressing solidarity with Ukraine — and with Ukrainian members of their community and staff. But Malofeev's defenders say he's being unfairly punished.

Malofeev had already arrived in Montreal for three dates with the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, when the concerts were canceled.

The orchestra said it wouldn't be appropriate for Malofeev to perform, adding "We look forward to welcoming this exceptional artist when the context allows it," according to the Montreal Gazette.

Malofeev expressed his disappointment via Facebook, apologizing to the audience and saying his concerts were nixed "due to political reasons."

"Honestly, the only thing I can do now is to pray and cry," the pianist said in another post this week. "It would seem that there are obvious conclusions: no problem can be solved by war, people cannot be judged by their nationality. But why, in a few days, has the whole world rolled back into a state where every person has a choice between fear and hatred?"