The cellist will honour his US performances this year, donating all proceeds to Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky’s United24 Foundation
The cellist Jean-Guihen Queyras has announced that he will honour his US performance engagements later this year, with all proceeds to be donated to Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky’s United24 Foundation.
Queyras’s decision follows last week’s White House meeting between US president Donald Trump, vice president JD Vance and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, which prompted violinist Christian Tetzlaff to cancel his US tour shortly after.
Queryas issued a statement on social media on Thursday 6 March:
‘After last week’s horrific spectacle at the White House—staged to humiliate President Zelensky—and the U.S.’s rapid shift away from the fundamental freedoms and democratic ideals that Europe and the West have long defended, and after Christian Tetzlaff’s strong decision to cancel his upcoming US appearances, I have been considering what to do with my five US dates this year.
‘I have decided to honour these engagements while donating all proceeds to President Zelensky’s United24 Foundation. Recognising the extremely urgent need for support from the brave Ukrainian people in their struggle for their and our freedom, I have provided a substantial advance on these incomes to United24, effective immediately.
‘I humbly call on all who can to join this struggle and act as quickly as possible.’
Queyras has previously displayed support and solidarity with Ukrainians during the ongoing war. The cellist visited Ukraine in August 2024, where he performed with the Kyiv Camerata. He also visited wounded soldiers in the Recovery Ukraine rehabilitation centre and a clinic for children suffering from war trauma.
On his performances last year, Queyras told The Strad:
‘I wanted to offer something small but meaningful – the healing sound of the cello. Listening to parts of Bach’s Cello Suites, both the soldiers and the children found moments of reflection, relief and peace. Even if only for a brief time, those encounters were profoundly significant.’
Read: ‘They won’t take art from us. Art goes on’ – cellist Jean-Guihen Queyras on his experiences in Kyiv
Read: ‘Fall in love with a composer’s universe’ – Jean-Guihen Queyras’s life lessons
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