Philip Glass pulls world premiere from Kennedy Center

[demmiblue]

Source: WaPo

Composer Philip Glass has joined the list of artists, musicians and performers pulling back from previously scheduled engagements at the Kennedy Center, withdrawing his anticipated Symphony No. 15: “Lincoln” from the National Symphony Orchestra, which was to perform the world premiere this coming June.

“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 a statement provided to The Washington Post. “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 will turn 89 at the end of this month, is a celebrated and influential American composer, who was awarded the Kennedy Center Honors in 2018. Though often credited as a pioneer of 20th-century minimalism, Glass’s music ranges from intimate piano études and chamber works to sprawling symphonies and ambitious, experimental operas such as “Einstein on the Beach,” “Satyagraha” and “Akhnaten,” about historical figures.

Symphony No. 15: “Lincoln” was co-commissioned by the Kennedy Center and the NSO, and has already been subject to several delays: It was originally scheduled to premiere in March 2022 and was later postponed to October 2022. This season, the piece was restored to the NSO’s calendar as a centerpiece of the Kennedy Center’s ongoing “250 Years of Us” programming.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/2026/01/27/philip-glass-kennedy-center-lincoln-premiere/

---

Breaking news: Composer Philip Glass withdrew his highly anticipated Symphony No. 15 from its scheduled Kennedy Center performance, saying “the values of the Kennedy Center today are in direct conflict with the message of the Symphony.”

— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost.com) 2026-01-27T16:16:20.690005988Z

[NewHendoLib]

1. A true genius - been listening to his music forever - and a great call by him

[WestMichRad]

4. I wholeheartedly agree.

Was fortunate several years ago to see a tribute concert in honor of Glass at the Kennedy Theatre, various artists performing different works of his. It was fabulous!

[Bluetus]

9. This is HUGE !!!! He is one of the most admired living composers

I have performed many of his works and they are all -- well, genius, as you said. Everything fits perfectly.

The average public may not know of him like they know John Williams, but in the musician community, I'd say they are both regarded at the top tier of living composers.

[Blue Owl]

2. The only appropriate work for the current KCPA would be 4'33

[Kid Berwyn]

3. May it come real soon.

Silence.

[generalbetrayus]

6. Not just for its silence, but as a reminder that Orange Julius Caesar puts innocents in Cages.

[Blue Owl]

39. Indeed -- thanks for the in-depth interpretation!

[efhmc]

7. Had to goggle it but learned something there.

[Bluetus]

10. I always have to take that one down an octave and 30 beats slower.

[Pinback]

23. Yeah, it's a challenge. I can't play it from memory.

Shelled out for the sheet music, which was pricey but worth it.

[Bluetus]

27. I bought the recording. I can play it by ear.

Not boasting, but it just comes naturally to me.

[Pinback]

29. 👍

[Blue Owl]

31. LOL

I once heard it transcribed for a SATB choral ensemble — but must say I prefer the original…

[niyad]

16. YES!!!

[littlemissmartypants]

20. Excellent choice, Blue Owl.

[Blue Owl]

38. Thank you for posting!

[littlemissmartypants]

40. My pleasure. Love you! ❤️

[electric_blue68]

5. Good on him!

Luckily, I got to see him, and his ensemble live a few times back in the ?'80s.
Ah, yeah, just remembered- Satyagraha definately.

[Ray Bruns]

8. I'm sure the revival of "Hee-Haw Live" will make up any lost ticket sales.

[wolfie001]

13. .......

&list=RDWJZY__j0Tyk

[Layzeebeaver]

11. "Thoughtful consideration"

Hopefully took something like 10sec to listen to his inner monologue….

[wolfie001]

12. One of America's top composers!

Love this for Diaper Don the nat-zee killer.

[LiberalLovinLug]

14. So many moments of amazing one time artistic performances

And all the joy and inspiration it produces that this ogre has stomped out from the world hearing

[edbermac]

15. Philip Glass pulls world premiere from Kennedy Center

Philip Glass pulls world premiere from Kennedy Center 🎶
Philip Glass pulls world premiere from Kennedy Center 🎶
Philip Glass pulls world premiere from Kennedy Center 🎶
Philip Glass pulls world premiere from Kennedy Center 🎶
Philip Glass pulls world premiere from Kennedy Center 🎶
Philip Glass pulls world premiere from Kennedy Center 🎶

[Pinback]

25. LOL, exactly my thought!

Great minds
Great minds
Great minds
Great minds
Great minds
Great minds…………….

[SusieCreamcheese]

30. Watch the movie

Kayaanisquatsi is an incredible film. The Philip Glass soundtrack brings more power to an already powerful presentation.

[edbermac]

33. I have it on DVD.

And similar documentary called Baraka.

[choie]

17. Should have done that a while ago, Phil

[SeattleVet]

18. Good for him!

I've seen him and the Ensemble doing the live music for screenings of Koyaanisqatsi and Powaqqatsi. Amazing genius.

Much respect.

[2naSalit]

19. Good decision...

I didn't realize he was still with us!

[Martin68]

21. Excellent. Trump has probably no idea who he is.

[RVN VET71]

44. GLASS? WHO LISTENS TO HIS CRAP ANYWAY

I'M GONNA LET KID ROCK, A REAL MUSIC GENIUS, PLAY DOUBLE CONCERTS AND REAL AMERICANS i KNOW WILL LOVE IT! AND LEE GREENWOOD, THE MOST GENIUS MUSIC GUY, WILL OPEN FOR HIM! AND WE'LL BE SELLING MY BIBLES, SIGNED BY ME, PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP, AS WELL AS LEE AND KID ROCK AT EACH CONCERT! IT'LL MAKE MILLIONS FOR MY DONALD JOHN TRUMP CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

AMIRIGHT?

[orangecrush]

22. No art for Nazis

[PassingFair]

36. Only what they can loot.

N/t

[FakeNoose]

24. Is CHUMP getting the MESSAGE yet?

[littlemissmartypants]

26. Thank you, Maestro. ❤️

[LetMyPeopleVote]

28. Kennedy Center dealt fresh blow as major composer cancels world premiere performance

Who is surprised by this? No reputable performer wants to be associated with trump

Kennedy Center dealt fresh blow as major composer cancels world premiere performance www.rawstory.com/kennedy-cent...

— Darbyscastle (@darbyscastle.bsky.social) 2026-01-27T17:31:12.473Z

https://www.rawstory.com/kennedy-center-trump-chaos/

The troubled and financially strapped John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts absorbed another major blow on Tuesday when legendary 89-year-old composer Philip Glass canceled the world premiere performance of his latest composition.

According to a report from the Washington Post, Glass issued a statement that his Symphony No. 15: “Lincoln,” which was slated to be performed in June by the National Symphony Orchestra at the center will not happen.

According to the noted composer of “Appomattox” and "Einstein on the Beach,” the Kennedy Center, which has been taken over by Donald Trump and his allies, does not align with the message of the much-delayed symphony.

“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, using the official name that the center had before Trump added his name before Kennedy’s.

“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,” he added.

[SusieCreamcheese]

32. Koyaanisqatsi

The brilliant movie "Koyaanisqatsi" features a soundtrack by Phillip Glass. It's a non-narrative documentary depicting various aspects of the relationship between humans, nature, and technology. The powerful images and stirringly beautiful music of this 1982 film are eerily prescient.
Watch it on YouTube.
https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=Koyaanisquatsi&mid=615CA53B128D352554D4615CA53B128D352554D4&FORM=VIRE

[electric_blue68]

34. I saw that at Radio City Music Hall

[jeffreyi]

35. Well Done.

A giant of our culture.

[JokeHer]

37. This is great but

Trump literally does not care. He’ll replace the performance with Kid Rock perhaps?

[Skittles]

42. we don't care what HE cares about

we care what WE THE PEOPLE think

[Skittles]

41. THANK YOU MR. GLASS

[OAITW r.2.0]

43. You're never too old to speak out about a fascist incompetent.