Following recent announcements by András Schiff and Christian Tetzlaff to cancel their upcoming performances in the United States, conductor Franz Welser-Möst has offered a different perspective on the ongoing debate surrounding cultural boycotts. In a guest essay for Backstage Classical , the Austrian conductor, who has led the Cleveland Orchestra since 2002, expressed concern that such decisions risk turning the U.S. into a “cultural wasteland” and may unintentionally harm the very institutions that champion humanist values.
Welser-Möst’s reflections come just days after Schiff announced the cancellation of his U.S. recital tour and orchestral appearances for the 2025–26 season, citing “unprecedented political changes” in the country. In his statement, Schiff emphasized his moral obligation to take a stand, declaring that he could not “just shut up and play” and comparing the present moment to the political climate of 1930s Europe.
Tetzlaff, who has also withdrawn from his upcoming U.S. engagements, raised similar concerns in recent weeks, referencing both ethical and financial reasons for his decision.
While Welser-Möst acknowledges these concerns, he urges a more nuanced approach. Reflecting on a recent performance at Carnegie Hall with the Cleveland Orchestra featuring Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony and Janáček’s From the House of the Dead, he described a palpable sense of urgency in the music and its message of freedom. “What would it mean for an orchestra like the Cleveland Orchestra if suddenly all guests from Europe cancelled their appearances?” he asks. “It would punish an ensemble based in a largely democratic city and supported by many humanist patrons.”
Unlike Europe, most American cultural institutions depend on private donations rather than state support. According to Welser-Möst, this fosters a culture of independence and open dialogue — qualities he believes are vital to protecting democratic values. As an example, he cites the Cleveland Orchestra’s own Humanism Festival, launched with a $50 million donation and dedicated to enlightenment and intellectual engagement.
Despite his concerns, Welser-Möst admits he would currently decline an invitation from the Kennedy Center, citing discomfort with the institution’s political affiliations. Still, he insists that other cultural spaces must be supported, particularly those that “celebrate culture as a form of debate, of humanism, and of human dignity.”
He concludes with a call to fellow artists, especially those from Europe, to understand the complexities of the American cultural landscape before making sweeping decisions: “We must believe in the power of music — and assert it.”
This article includes information and direct quotes from Franz Welser-Möst’s guest commentary originally published by BackstageClassical on March 25, 2025.
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