Philip Glass withdrew his Symphony No. 15 “Lincoln” from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Tuesday, telling the center’s board and the National Symphony Orchestra that the work is a “portrait of Abraham Lincoln, and the values of the Kennedy Center today are in direct conflict with the message of the Symphony.” As a result, Glass wrote, “I feel an obligation to withdraw this Symphony premiere from the Kennedy Center under its current leadership.”
The commissioned work was scheduled to be performed this June at the Kennedy Center. The center’s board, led by President Trump, slapped Trump’s name on the center’s building last month despite the fact that Congress must approve any change to the memorial to John F. Kennedy. The symphony is rooted in Lincoln’s “Lyceum address,” which warns against tyranny.
The Kennedy Center has not yet replied to a request for comment. Glass joins an ever-longer list of artists who have pulled work or performances from the arts center in response to Trump’s takeover. You can read Glass’s letter below.
Philip Glass Letter to the Kennedy Center by Washingtonian Magazine
Andrew Beaujon joined Washingtonian in late 2014. He was previously with the Poynter Institute, TBD.com, and Washington City Paper. He lives in Del Ray.
