Pianist Jayson Gillham says he never considered apologising for Gaza comments, trial hears

<p>Federal court case begins for classical pianist who alleges Melbourne Symphony Orchestra unlawfully discriminated due to his views</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2026/may/18/australia-news-live-nsw-victoria-queensland-politics-labor-liberal-coalition-melbourne-sydney-brisbane-economy-weather-ntwnfb">Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates</a></p></li><li><p>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">breaking news email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl">daily news podcast</a></p></li></ul><p>A classical pianist who alleges the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra unlawfully discriminated against him because of his views on Israeli forces killing Palestinian journalists says he did not consider apologising for making the statement at the centre of the case.</p><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2026/mar/30/jayson-gillham-announces-tour-with-palestinian-jordanian-musician-ahead-of-mso-court-case">Pianist Jayson Gillham</a> is suing the MSO over a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/may/08/court-greenlights-trial-of-pianists-discrimination-claim-after-melbourne-orchestra-cancelled-concert-ntwnfb">cancelled Melbourne concert</a> he was contracted to perform on 15 August 2024, a cancellation which he claims was an attempt to silence him over his stance on the Gaza conflict.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/may/18/pianist-jayson-gillham-cancellation-case-mso-melbourne-symphony-orchestra-court-palestianian-journalists-gaza-ntwnfb">Continue reading...</a>