Earlier this year, acclaimed Australian concert pianist Jayson Gillham sued the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra for unlawful discrimination over their cancelling of a concert he was set to perform in August 2024 following his dedication of a solo piece to journalists in Gaza who had been targeted and killed by Israel.

This month, Jayson lost his case as a Justice rejected his contention that the MSO took “adverse actions” against him because of his statements.

Jayson sits down with guest host Nick Feik to talk about the role of artists during political upheaval; speaking up about Palestine, the fallout of his trial and verdict, and his upcoming performance at the Melbourne Recital Centre with Iyad Sughayer on July 19.

“My programming – up until now – has not had an overtly political stance. But for me, Gaza was just a red line, it was just too much. I actually said to my agent ‘I don’t want to play the piano again if I can’t talk about this issue’, and I think it’s a once in a lifetime, once in a generation kind of thing, it’s so important.”