Renowned concert pianist András Schiff, known for his opposition to authoritarian rule in Russia and his native Hungary, has announced he will no longer perform in the United States. Citing concerns over President Donald Trump’s “unbelievable bullying” on the world stage, Schiff said he could not, in good conscience, continue to play in a country whose leadership he finds troubling.
“He has brought an ugliness into this world which hadn’t been there,” Schiff said in a telephone interview from Hong Kong, where he is currently performing. “I just find it impossible to go along with what is happening.”
The 71-year-old pianist, widely considered one of the greatest interpreters of Bach and Mozart, has cancelled his upcoming engagements in the U.S., including performances with the New York Philharmonic and the Philadelphia Orchestra, as well as a recital tour that was set to include a stop at Carnegie Hall.
Schiff is the latest high-profile musician to boycott the United States in response to Trump’s policies. German violinist Christian Tetzlaff recently made a similar announcement, condemning Trump’s affinity for Russia and his alignment with far-right politicians in Germany.
The small but growing cultural boycott of the U.S. marks a stark reversal from historical precedent, where American artists often refused to perform in authoritarian states. Now, some foreign artists view the United States itself as a political pariah.
A Deep Personal Concern
Schiff, who was born to a Jewish family in Budapest, has spoken out against right-wing movements throughout his career. He has been an outspoken critic of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and has not returned to Hungary since 2010 due to threats against him.
Trump’s policies, particularly his stance on immigration, have struck a personal chord with Schiff. “When I hear this word deportation, it rings a bell—it rings a terrible bell,” he said. “My family, my Jewish family, was deported—some to Auschwitz, and some to other concentration camps.”
Trump’s aggressive rhetoric towards Ukraine, as well as his threats toward Canada, Greenland, and Gaza, have further solidified Schiff’s decision. He was particularly disturbed by Trump’s treatment of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a tense Oval Office meeting in February. “His methods and manners are truly unacceptable,” Schiff said.
A Cultural Shift
Schiff has long viewed the United States as a “beacon of freedom and liberty and democracy.” However, he believes Trump’s re-election signals a broader shift in American values. “The general election shows that a substantial part of people support these viewpoints and actions,” he noted. “Maybe it’s a drop in the ocean; I’m not expecting many musicians to follow. But it doesn’t matter. It’s for my own conscience. In history, one has to react or not to react.”
Despite his disappointment, Schiff remains hopeful for the future. “Let’s not give up hope for better times,” he concluded.
A Legacy of Resistance
Schiff’s career has been marked by his willingness to take a stand. In the early 2000s, he condemned anti-immigrant and antisemitic rhetoric in Austria. After Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, he joined a cultural embargo against performing there. His decision to now boycott the U.S. is the latest chapter in a lifelong commitment to speaking out against what he sees as political and moral injustices.
The White House has not directly responded to Schiff’s decision, with officials maintaining that Trump’s priority remains the United States. Meanwhile, supporters of the boycott argue that Schiff’s withdrawal is a stark reminder of how America’s global reputation is shifting under its current leadership.
Whether Schiff’s actions will influence other musicians remains to be seen, but his stance sends a clear message: for some artists, silence is not an option.
