Classical musicians speak out in defence of free speech
More than 500 leading voices in the American classical music world — from soloists and composers to orchestra members and educators — have signed a powerful open letter denouncing what they describe as attacks on free speech by former U.S. President Donald Trump and his administration.
Titled Musicians for Democracy, the statement has garnered support from some of the most recognizable names in the classical sphere, including violinist Midori, mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato, pianist Jonathan Biss, conductor Osmo Vänskä, cellist Alisa Weilerstein, and composer Jake Heggie.
The letter, which follows weeks of mounting concern among artists and academics about political retaliation and censorship, emphasizes that although the signatories are not politicians, their work depends on the free exchange of ideas — a freedom they say is increasingly under threat.
“We are alarmed by the many actions targeting free speech that are being forced on our country,” the letter reads. “We implore all of our fellow Americans to raise your voices with ours to protect these inalienable rights.”
The full text of the letter follows:
To our fellow citizens:
We, the undersigned, are American classical musicians. Our passion and mission are making music and, in doing so, offering listeners the possibility of deepening their experience and understanding of the world. We are not politicians: We are working citizens who are drawn to music because of its capacity to bridge different viewpoints and cultures, and to connect us through our shared humanity.
We are speaking out now because we are alarmed by the many actions targeting free speech that are being forced on our country, our colleagues and our institutions by President Trump and his administration. Many of our audience members are active in the arts, the sciences, education and government. Every single one of us knows multiple people across different sectors of American society who have lost jobs or face life-altering insecurity due to censorship or retaliatory measures over the past three months. Everyone we know can say the same. We have watched as people have been seized and targeted for deportation for participating in peaceful protest, or for no clear reason at all. We see these actions as a coordinated effort to dismantle our free society.
True freedom of speech – free from both censorship and fear of retaliation – is the bedrock of the American project: It stands as the First Amendment to our Constitution for good reason. We are dismayed that institutions have – whether by choice or for lack of choice – changed their policies in accordance with lists of demands foisted on them by the current administration. We stand proudly with the institutions and individuals who have held their ground in their own ways, recognizing that doing so carries great risk.
As musicians, we work daily within others’ truths and illusions. It is our job to examine all perspectives, even the ones we don’t agree with; the freedom to explore and share these perspectives, explicitly guaranteed by our constitution, is in grave danger. We implore all of our fellow Americans to raise your voices with ours to protect these inalienable rights.
We feel acutely the urgency of our current situation. Democracy is a fragile system, but mighty when used by the people, for the people. If our ability to speak freely – to engage with the world without fear of reprisal – is to stay available to us, we must exercise it now.
In their message, the musicians cite instances of job losses and threats of deportation allegedly tied to political expression, as well as what they describe as a pattern of retaliatory action within educational and cultural institutions. “Every single one of us knows multiple people… who have lost jobs or face life-altering insecurity due to censorship or retaliatory measures,” the letter states.
The artists stress the importance of standing with institutions and individuals who have resisted what they see as political coercion — even at personal or professional cost. “We stand proudly with the institutions and individuals who have held their ground… recognizing that doing so carries great risk.”
They also underscore the vital role musicians play in navigating and reflecting complex perspectives. “It is our job to examine all perspectives, even the ones we don’t agree with,” the letter continues. “The freedom to explore and share these perspectives… is in grave danger.”
Signatories include:
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Jamie Barton, mezzo-soprano
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Jonathan Biss, pianist
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Joshua Brown, violinist
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Joyce DiDonato, mezzo-soprano
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Eugene Drucker, violinist and educator
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Jake Heggie, composer
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Jeffrey Kahane, pianist and conductor
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Beth Levin, pianist
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Midori, violinist
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Osmo Vänskä, conductor
For the full list of signatories or to view the petition, visit Musicians for Democracy’s website.