US EditionComposer Philip Glass withdraws 'Lincoln' symphony from the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass cites a conflict between his symphony's message and the Kennedy Center's Trump-led leadership; he joins numerous artists canceling performances amid political disputes.
- On January 27, 2026, Philip Glass announced he was withdrawing his Symphony No. 'Lincoln' from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, cancelling its planned June 12 and June 13 premieres.
- Amid the center's rebranding and board overhaul last year, Philip Glass said the Kennedy Center's values under President Donald J. Trump's takeover clash with the symphony's message.
- A prominent figure in modern classical music, Philip Glass, 2018 Kennedy Center honoree, had the symphony commissioned by the National Symphony Orchestra and Kennedy Center for June 12-13, 2026, performances led by Grammy-winning conductor Karen Kamensek.
- Removing the premiere leaves the NSO and the '250 Years of Us' program altered, with Kennedy Center officials not immediately responding.
- Glass's move adds momentum to a wave of withdrawals that over the past year and in recent weeks included Renée Fleming, Béla Fleck, and the Washington National Opera amid Trump's chairmanship and board changes.
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125 Articles
Oscar-nominated composer latest performer to pull Trump Kennedy Center performance over 'conflict' with values
Latest & Breaking News on Fox News American composer and Academy Award nominee Philip Glass announced that he is pulling the world premiere of his Symphony No. 15, "Lincoln," at the Trump Kennedy Center, claiming there was a direct "conflict" between his work and the institution's current leadership."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 Symphon…
The Kennedy Center in Washington is famous for music, dance and theatre, but since US President Trump took control of it, the cancellations of artists have been increasing.
"The values of Kennedy Center are currently in direct conflict with the message of synphony about Abraham Lincoln," said the music, after Donald Trump defeated the leaders of the cultural center.
For decades, the Kennedy Center in Washington has been famous for music, dance and theatre, but now US President Trump has taken control of it - and the artists' cancellations are increasing.
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