Leonard Cohen Estate RNC rejects request to play “Hallelujah”

Leonard Cohen’s estate is “exploring” its legal options after appearing twice after his song “Hallelujah” at the Republican National Convention on Thursday night. Both Estate and Sony / ATV Music Publishing have confirmed to Pitchfork that its use is not authorized.

Recording of a song played by Tory Kelly during a fireworks display, following an acceptable speech by Donald Trump for the Republican nomination. Later, American tenor Christopher MacChoo did the operative version live on Perm. Brian J., CMO of Sony / ATV Music Publishing. According to Monaco, the Republican National Committee sought approval for a live demonstration the evening before the event and was denied.

On the final occasion of the convention, representatives of the Republican National Committee approached us to seek permission for a live performance of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.” We denied his request.

The legal representative of Cohen Estate, Michelle L. Rice said the estate was “exploring our legal options”, but also offered to take a separate curatorial to monitor the RNC’s music:

We are surprised and disgusted that the RNC will move forward knowing that Cohen Estate specifically denied the RNC’s use request, and one of Cohen’s most important songs, his shameless attempt to politicize and exploit in such an exaggerated manner song list. We are exploring our legal options. If the RNC had requested another song, “You Want That Dark,” for which Leonard won the posthumous Grammy in 2017, we would have considered approving that song.

In July 2019, a documentary was released about Cohen’s relationship with Marianne Hahlen. LP after the estate. Thanks for the dance Last November.

Read “An exploratory Leonard Cohen Museum exhibition will live up to his legacy (mostly)” on the pitch.