Polish Pianist Launches Rant Against US at LA Concert

Famed Polish concert pianist Krystian Zimerman vowed to never again return to the US after his concert in Los Angeles last night, the Guardian reports. Dozens of audience members walked out as Zimerman, hailed as one of the greatest living pianists, delivered an anti-American tirade, accusing the US of wanting to take over the world.

"Get your hands off my country," said an angry Zimerman, apparently infuriated by President Obama's decision to go ahead with Bush-era plans to build a missile defense base in Poland. Zimerman has been an outspoken critic of American foreign policy before but he is also believed to hold a personal grudge against the US; suspicious customs officials at JFK airport destroyed one of his pianos shortly after 9/11. (More Krystian Zimerman stories.)