Violinist, conductor, and composer Pekka Kuusisto has announced that he will stop working in the United States “for the time being,” citing political and ethical concerns related to the current US administration.
In a video message shared on social media, Kuusisto said he had taken the decision several months ago, allowing orchestras and institutions time to adjust their plans.
“In a nutshell, I support equal human rights, I support peace, and obviously that creates a dissonance between myself and the current US administration,” he said.
The Finnish musician also pointed to the financial implications of working in the country as a non-resident artist, noting that a significant portion of his income would go to federal taxes.
“That means I will be taking money from symphony orchestra donors — from people who support the arts — and I will be then sending nearly one third of that money to this administration,” he said, adding that he does not wish to contribute financially to policies he opposes.
Kuusisto described the situation as “cruelty — in fact, performative cruelty,” and stated: “I want no part in financing that.”
A personal decision
Kuusisto emphasised that his decision is personal and should not be interpreted as a call for others to follow.
“I also want no pressure to be placed on or felt by any of my colleagues, international or US-based, to reach the same conclusion as I have,” he said. “I’m in the fortunate and rare position to be able to afford not working in the US.”
He added that he remains deeply connected to the country, where he has worked regularly throughout his career.
“I’ve been coming back to the US for work, I think, every single year… meeting old friends, making new friends, always feeling excitement, hope, and solidarity. Out of those three, during the current administration, solidarity is the only one that remains.”
Call for the arts community
While framing his withdrawal as an individual choice, Kuusisto suggested that arts institutions could play a more active role in public discourse.
“With utmost sensitivity and respect,” he said, he would “suggest to the administrations of the major American orchestras to consider using your voices,” adding that he believes the situation could improve “if the arts community came together to say ‘no more’ in unison, in a way that inspires.”
He also referred to upcoming elections, noting that “the first rough drafts of history are being written every single day.”
An internationally active figure
Kuusisto is widely recognised for his wide-ranging artistic profile as a violinist, conductor, and composer, as well as for his advocacy of contemporary music and cross-disciplinary collaboration.
He is Artistic Director of the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra and Principal Guest Conductor of both the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra and the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra. In the coming years, he is due to take up the position of Chief Conductor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, following a period as Artist in Residence beginning in 2026.
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