Dallas Symphony Orchestra cancels European tour over 'security concerns' following Paris terror attacks

Concerts in England and Scotland among those missed due to 'evelated risk to safety of musicians and their families'

Sir Anthony Hopkins directing the Dallas Symphony Orchestra in 2008 (REX)

A major US orchestra has attracted scorn after cancelling its European tour – including planned concerts in England and Scotland – over “security concerns” following the Paris terror attacks.

The Dallas Symphony Orchestra (DSO) has pulled out of a concert tour citing an “elevated risk to the safety of our musicians and their families.”

A spokeswoman said the decision was taken after “conversations with national and international security professionals.”

In a statement the orchestra said: “Due to the recent and tragic events in Europe and the United States, and informed by conversations with national and international security professionals, the Dallas Symphony’s executive board along with its executive and artistic leadership have made the very difficult decision to postpone its April 2016 European tour.

“After careful deliberation, we believe that there is an elevated risk to the safety of our musicians and their families, guest artists, DSO personnel and travelling patrons, and therefore will not be proceeding with the tour at this time.”

In a separate statement the DSO’s celebrated Dutch Music Director, Jaap van Zweden, said he “respected” the orchestra’s decision. “As an individual, I continue to travel around the world for my various conducting engagements. However, I respect the decision that has been made, as the safety of our DSO musicians and our extended touring group is primary,” he said.

Cultural commentator Norman Lebrecht, who revealed the cancellation on his website Slipped Disc, said: “Their explanation is incredibly damaging to its reputation.”

Music experts have questioned whether security concerns were the true reason for the cancelled concert series. A number of musicians including Prince and U2 cancelled tours in the immediate aftermath of the Paris terror attacks in which a concert by US rock group, the Eagles of Death Metal, was directly targeted. However most have resumed touring European venues.

The Dallas Symphony Orchestra, one of the richest and most prestigious in the US, has embraced a belt-tightening policy in the face of economic constraints. But the DSO insisted its cancellation had nothing to do with financial considerations.

The League of American Orchestras said it was unaware of any other orchestra tours being cancelled for safety reasons.

The two-week European tour was to feature performances at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall and at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall. They were also schedule to play concerts in Amsterdam, Stuttgart, Basel, Vienna and Madrid. When the tour was announced the repertory to be performed included Wagner’s Die Walküre, with soloists Michelle DeYoung, Clifton Forbis and Kristinn Sigmundsson; and the Shostakovich Leningrad Symphony.

A spokesman for the Usher Hall said he was unaware the concert had been cancelled.

A spokeswoman for Birmingham’s Symphony Hall admitted they were unaware of the cancellation.

A second US orchestra has also announced it was cancelling a tour to Europe, for separate reasons. The Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra said it called off a six city tour of Spain next May. because the falling value of the Euro and the ailing Spanish economy had made the tour “non-viable.”