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Philip Glass withdraws world premiere of his Lincoln symphony from Kennedy Center

Philip Glass, 88, has withdrawn the world premiere of his latest symphony, Symphony No. 15, "Lincoln," from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C. The decision was made in response to the values of the Kennedy Centre under the Trump administration being at odds with the symphony's message.

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Philip Glass withdraws his Lincoln symphony from the Kennedy Center in protest of values clashing with the symphony's message under Trump presidency. CONTENT: Philip Glass, an esteemed American composer, has made a bold...

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    Philip Glass withdraws world premiere of his Lincoln symphony from Kennedy Center

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Philip Glass withdraws world premiere of his Lincoln symphony from Kennedy Center

Philip Glass, 88, has withdrawn the world premiere of his latest symphony, Symphony No. 15, "Lincoln," from the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C. The decision was made in response to the values of the Kennedy Centre under the Trump administration being at odds with the symphony's message.

By Emergent Politics Desk

Tuesday, January 27, 2026 • 3 min read • 1 source reference

  • 3 min read
  • 1 source reference

Philip Glass withdraws his Lincoln symphony from the Kennedy Center in protest of values clashing with the symphony's message under Trump presidency.

CONTENT:

Philip Glass, an esteemed American composer, has made a bold move by withdrawing the world premiere of his latest symphony, Symphony No. 15, "Lincoln," from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (JFKC) in Washington D.C. The decision was made in response to the values of the Kennedy Center under the Trump administration being at odds with the symphony's message.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Glass, who is 88 years old, explained his reasons for withdrawing the premiere. "After thoughtful consideration, I have decided to withdraw my Symphony No. 15 ‘Lincoln’ from the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts," he stated. "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."

The Kennedy Center, founded in 1964 by President John F. Kennedy, is America's cultural center, dedicated to providing a platform for the arts and artists. Glass' decision to withdraw the premiere of his symphony, which was scheduled for February 6, 2026, marks a significant protest against the current political climate and the values it represents.

This development comes after an open letter from over 400 artists, including composer John Adams, playwright Tony Kushner, and actor Tim Robbins, urging the Kennedy Center to cancel the upcoming 2026 season due to concerns about the Trump administration's values. Glass' decision to withdraw the premiere aligns with this call for action.

Glass' statement continued, "I have always believed that the arts are essential to the health of a society, and the Kennedy Center has long been a vital part of this mission. However, I cannot ignore the fact that under the present administration, the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities have been targeted for elimination. I believe that these actions represent a grave threat to the future of the arts in America, and I feel compelled to take a stand."

The Kennedy Center responded to Glass' decision with a statement of their own, expressing disappointment and respecting the composer's right to make this choice. "We are deeply disappointed that Mr. Glass has decided to withdraw his work from the Kennedy Center," the statement read. "The Kennedy Center has a longstanding relationship with Mr. Glass, and we respect his decision and his right to express his views."

The withdrawal of Glass' Lincoln symphony premiere from the Kennedy Center marks a powerful statement against the political climate and the values it represents. It serves as a reminder of the essential role the arts play in society and the importance of upholding the values that foster a vibrant and inclusive cultural landscape.

Sources:

Philip Glass withdraws his Lincoln symphony from the Kennedy Center in protest of values clashing with the symphony's message under Trump presidency.

CONTENT:

Philip Glass, an esteemed American composer, has made a bold move by withdrawing the world premiere of his latest symphony, Symphony No. 15, "Lincoln," from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (JFKC) in Washington D.C. The decision was made in response to the values of the Kennedy Center under the Trump administration being at odds with the symphony's message.

In a statement released on Tuesday, Glass, who is 88 years old, explained his reasons for withdrawing the premiere. "After thoughtful consideration, I have decided to withdraw my Symphony No. 15 ‘Lincoln’ from the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts," he stated. "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."

The Kennedy Center, founded in 1964 by President John F. Kennedy, is America's cultural center, dedicated to providing a platform for the arts and artists. Glass' decision to withdraw the premiere of his symphony, which was scheduled for February 6, 2026, marks a significant protest against the current political climate and the values it represents.

This development comes after an open letter from over 400 artists, including composer John Adams, playwright Tony Kushner, and actor Tim Robbins, urging the Kennedy Center to cancel the upcoming 2026 season due to concerns about the Trump administration's values. Glass' decision to withdraw the premiere aligns with this call for action.

Glass' statement continued, "I have always believed that the arts are essential to the health of a society, and the Kennedy Center has long been a vital part of this mission. However, I cannot ignore the fact that under the present administration, the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities have been targeted for elimination. I believe that these actions represent a grave threat to the future of the arts in America, and I feel compelled to take a stand."

The Kennedy Center responded to Glass' decision with a statement of their own, expressing disappointment and respecting the composer's right to make this choice. "We are deeply disappointed that Mr. Glass has decided to withdraw his work from the Kennedy Center," the statement read. "The Kennedy Center has a longstanding relationship with Mr. Glass, and we respect his decision and his right to express his views."

The withdrawal of Glass' Lincoln symphony premiere from the Kennedy Center marks a powerful statement against the political climate and the values it represents. It serves as a reminder of the essential role the arts play in society and the importance of upholding the values that foster a vibrant and inclusive cultural landscape.

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Philip Glass withdraws world premiere of his Lincoln symphony from Kennedy Center

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theguardian.com · Jan 27, 2026

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