Philip Glass Withdraws ‘Lincoln’ World Premiere From Kennedy Center, Citing Clash Between Venue’s Values and Symphony’s Message

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.