German Pianist Cancels US Tour in Protest Against Trump Administration

Acclaimed German pianist Schaghajegh Nosrati has announced the cancellation of her upcoming US tour, citing her inability to perform under the Trump administration.

Born in Bochum in 1989 to Iranian parents, Nosrati has gained recognition for her interpretations of Bach and the rarely performed works of Alkan. She was scheduled to give concerts in Minneapolis, Boston, and Portland this November. However, these dates have now been removed from her website, with the explanation given as “for political reasons.” Since 2020, Nosrati has served as an assistant to Sir András Schiff at the Barenboim-Said Academy in Berlin.

In a statement, Nosrati expressed deep concern over the current state of American politics, criticising the administration’s approach to democracy, cultural institutions, and foreign policy. She emphasised her distress over misinformation, the erosion of democratic principles, and what she described as a lack of empathy from political leaders.

Nosrati further condemned the administration’s stance on Gaza and Ukraine, describing recent developments as “cynical and inhuman.” She also acknowledged the suffering of liberal-minded Americans under the current leadership but lamented that Trump’s re-election represents a political reality that cannot be ignored.

Stating that she feels a duty as an artist to take a clear stance against injustice, Nosrati acknowledged that cancelling her concerts would not change the political landscape but viewed it as a necessary act of protest in a time when public figures must speak out.