Hungarian-born pianist Sir András Schiff has announced the cancellation of his planned U.S. performances for the 2025-26 season, citing recent political developments in the country. Schiff released a statement explaining his decision, emphasizing his moral obligation to respond to what he described as “unprecedented political changes” in the United States.
In his statement, Schiff acknowledged the important role the U.S. has played in his career since the 1970s, noting his years living in New York City and his collaborations with American orchestras and musicians. However, he stated that he could not “just shut up and play” and argued that the arts and society are inseparable. He referenced historical events in Europe in the 1930s as part of his reasoning and concluded by saying that some artists may now choose not to visit the U.S.
The cancelled performances include a recital tour in October 2025 and scheduled engagements with the Philadelphia Orchestra and New York Philharmonic in May 2026.
Schiff has previously expressed concerns regarding U.S. politics. In a 2020 interview with VAN Magazine, he stated that he had told his American agent, “If Donald Trump gets re-elected, I’m not going to the U.S. anymore.” While that scenario did not materialize at the time, Schiff suggested that the situation had now changed.
Schiff is not the only European musician to cancel U.S. appearances due to political concerns. In recent weeks, German violinist Christian Tetzlaff and his Tetzlaff Quartet also withdrew from their planned U.S. concerts. Tetzlaff cited concerns over the American government’s policies, including international relations and domestic issues affecting marginalized communities.
Tetzlaff, who has performed regularly in the U.S. since 1988, stated that he could no longer continue performing under current circumstances. He also referenced the impact of his earnings from U.S. performances, mentioning that a significant portion of his income is taxed by the American government.
While some artists believe that music can help bridge political and societal divides, others, including Schiff and Tetzlaff, have chosen to take a different approach by limiting their performances in certain countries. Schiff concluded his statement by expressing gratitude for his past experiences in the U.S. and hope for better times in the future.
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