The Kölner Philharmonie has canceled Russian-Greek conductor Teodor Currentzis’s concert on Jan. 27, 2023.

The Philharmonie director Louwrens Langevoort said, “This does not mean that we do not appreciate his artistic achievements, but more than half a year after the outbreak of war, an attitude towards the political situation should be recognizable.”

Langevoort added, “The activities and financing of his ensembles MusicAeterna and also Utopia suggest that he is very close to the Russian regime.”

The news comes after Currentzis performed with the SWR Symphonieorchester in Cologne at the end of March. However, since the outbreak of the war, the conductor has not made a single statement regarding the war and has continued to have his orchestras funded by a Russian bank linked to Putin.

The conductor’s performances with musicAeterna have been of debate throughout the past six months with Salzburg Festival inviting him to perform while Munich and Paris have canceled his concerts.

Ticketholders for the Jan. 27 performance will be refunded.