Acclaimed composer Philip Glass is the latest in a string of artists to walk back previously scheduled engagements at the Kennedy Center. On Tuesday (Jan. 27), Glass confirmed to The Washington Post that he would be withdrawing his Symphony No. 15: “Lincoln” from the National Symphony Orchestra, which was set to play the piece’s world premiere in June.
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“After thoughtful consideration, I have decided to withdraw my Symphony No. 15 ‘Lincoln’ from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts,” Glass wrote in his statement, which he also posted to his official social media pages on Tuesday morning. “Symphony No. 15 is a portrait of Abraham Lincoln, and the values of the Kennedy Center today are in direct conflict with the message of the Symphony. Therefore, I feel an obligation to withdraw this Symphony premiere from the Kennedy Center under its current leadership.”
Glass, who has earned four Grammy nominations and three Academy Award nods over the course of his five-decade career, was awarded the Kennedy Center Honors in 2019. From scoring iconic films like The Truman Show and The Hours to pioneering minimalism in music, Glass has been instrumental in shaping the past half century of classical music. According to The Post, Symphony No. 15: “Lincoln” was co-commissioned by the Kennedy Center and the National Symphony Orchestra, facing years of delays before eventually becoming one of the centerpieces of the Center’s ongoing “250 Years of Us” programming.
President Donald Trump’s recent addition of his name to the center (and the building’s facade) has sparked a wave of high-profile artists and performers, including Oscar-winning Wicked composer Stephen Schwartz, Asian American comedy variety show Asian AF, 18-time Grammy-winning banjoist Béla Fleck, folk duo Magpie and the Washington National Opera, pulling out of previously scheduled events. The head-turning programming changes follow a tumultuous year for the Kennedy Center that has included declining ticket sales and broadcast ratings in the face of the politicization of the historically nonpartisan venue celebrating the arts. Last year’s Kennedy Center Honorees included Gloria Gaynor, KISS and George Strait.
Glass has a long history with the Kennedy Center, but his withdrawal of Symphony No. 15: “Lincoln” proves that everyone eventually draws their line in the sand.
Read Philip Glass’ statement below.