Free Republic

The society is among the first in the North American arts world to take a firm stand in support of Ukraine. The artistic director of the Vancouver Recital Society said she stands by the group’s decision to cancel a concert by Russian pianist Alexander Malofeev in response to the war in Ukraine, calling the choice a “horrible” one to make. Leila Getz said she has been trying to book the 20-year-old “Russian genius” for six years, with two previous concerts postponed by pandemic-related issues. But even though there was a new date arranged for the event in August, the society...

A young Russian pianist who was set to perform with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra this week has been struck from the schedule after protest. However, the orchestra maintained its praise for 20-year-old Alexander Malofeev, who has been outspoken against the invasion of Ukraine, where he said he has some family members. "The OSM feels that it would be inappropriate to receive Mr. Malofeev this week," wrote a spokesperson for the orchestra, Pascale Ouimet, in a statement. "We continue, however, to believe in the importance of maintaining relationships with artists of all nationalities who embrace messages of peace and hope. We...