Violinist Sarah Chang, pictured here in 2004 in New York City, had requested that proceeds from the recital be put into the musician's pension fund. (Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)

Violinist Sarah Chang has cancelled her concert with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra after receiving threatening emails and messages on Facebook.

The Philadelphia native released a statement late Sunday saying she was cancelling Monday's recital after being "unwittingly drawn into an inner dispute that does not appropriately involve me . … My original intention to bring music to the community has been derailed."

Chang is referring to a strike by Detroit orchestra musicians who began picketing Oct. 4. They are upset over a move by management to cut the base pay of veteran musicians by 33 per cent.

The violinist was invited to perform in the recital last week after the orchestra cancelled its season-opening concerts because of the strike. The musicians had asked that Chang not perform in what would have been the orchestra's season opener.

The 29-year-old violinist, who is not a member of the union, said messages to her website and fan-created Facebook page escalated from disapproval to physical threats and "career intimidation."

She had asked that proceeds from her recital be put into the musician's pension fund.

"The musicians of the DSO and professional musicians around the country are very grateful to Sarah Chang for her powerful gesture in refusing to play the replacement concert. … I feel very sorry if she or her manager received any communication which could be perceived as threatening," cellist Haden McKay told the Detroit News.

Chang concluded her statement on a positive note: "I wish my friends and colleagues in the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and its management a speedy resolution."

DSO officials say they don't know the source of the threats.

"We are appalled at the treatment and criticism she has received for agreeing to appear at the DSO," Anne Parsons, the DSO president, said in a statement on the symphony's website.

"Sarah is a victim of harassment, and those responsible should be held accountable."