The Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra has now followed the Munich Philharmonic, and the Verbier and Edinburgh Festivals, in cutting ties with conductor Valery Gergiev.

'Following last week’s invasion of Ukraine by Russia, Valery Gergiev was invited to respond and to publicly distance himself from the acts of President Putin in Ukraine,' the Orchestra said in a statement.

Gergiev had been Rotterdam Philharmonic Principal Conductor from 1995 to 2008, after which his continued involvement included the annual Gergiev Festival.

The Orchestra added: 'Yesterday evening we were able to contact Mr Gergiev. However, at the end of this conversation insurmountable differences remained. The Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra and the Rotterdam Philharmonic Festivals therefore consider they have no choice but to terminate their relationship with the conductor. Concerts with Mr Gergiev will be cancelled, likewise the NTR Saturday Matinee. The Gergiev Festival will also be disbanded.

'This action ends a very close relationship between the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra and Valery Gergiev stretching back to 1988. Although, from an artistic perspective, bringing an end to this relationship has been a painful decision, neither organisation can see any other way forward. We are currently looking into alternatives for programmes already scheduled,' the statement concluded.