Famed pianist and conductor Sir András Schiff has canceled all of his U.S. appearances in 2025-26.

Per The Violin Channel, Schiff decided as a result of the political turmoil taking place in the “land of the free.”

“Due to the recent and unprecedented political changes in the United States, I feel morally obligated to withdraw from all engagements in the U.S. for the 2025-26 season,” Schiff wrote in a statement. “This is not an easy decision to make. Since the 1970’s the U.S. has been very important in my life, including the many years I lived in New York City. There have been hundreds of concerts and wonderful experiences with excellent orchestras and musicians. Some of my closest friends live in the States. I have a great deal for which to be thankful.

“Some people might say, ‘just shut up and play.’ I cannot, in good conscience, do that,” he continued. “We do not live in an ivory tower where the arts are untouched by society. Arts and politics, arts and society are inseparable. Therefore, as artists, we must react to the horrors and injustices of this world. Have we learned nothing from the course of history – – as recently as Europe in the 1930s? Perhaps not. The American people have spoken – and we have heard them. Yes, indeed, there is a ‘new sheriff in town.’ Which has made it a very different ‘town’ — one that some of us no longer wish to visit. It is no longer obligatory. “Thank you for your friendship and continued support. Let’s not give up hope for better times.”

Schiff is the latest artist to cut ties with U.S. performance engagements. Christian Tetzlaff cited similar concerns and canceled his performances.

President Donald J. Trump recently took over The Kennedy Center, firing its entire board and replacing it with loyalists. He also appointed Ric Grenell, who has no previous arts administration experience, to the position of Interim Executive Director for the institution.

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