Melbourne orchestra leaders voted out for removing pianist over Gaza tribute

Musicians at the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) have passed a vote of no confidence in its board after it cancelled a show by a pianist who had dedicated a performance to Palestinian journalists killed by Israeli forces in Gaza. 

In a letter to the management, the musicians said the scandal had brought the orchestra "into disrepute" and highlighted "years of unresolved concerns", Australia's Herald Sun reported on Friday.

"We believe it is the duty of senior management to lead and manage in accordance with the MSO's values and behaviours, however, it has become apparent that these values no longer appear to be aligned with those of the orchestra and staff," the letter stated.

On Sunday, British-Australian pianist Jayson Gillham premiered a five-minute piece called Witness.

"Over the last 10 months, Israel has killed more than 100 Palestinian journalists," Gillham told the audience, ahead of performing the piece.

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