Composer pulls ‘Lincoln’ symphony from Trump Kennedy Center premiere
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American composer and Academy Award nominee Philip Glass has announced that he will have the world premiere of his 15th Symphony “Lincoln” at the Trump Kennedy Center, claiming a direct “conflict” between his work and the institution’s current leadership.
“Symphony No. 15 is a portrait of Abraham Lincoln, and the Kennedy Center’s current values are in direct conflict with the Symphony’s message.” Glass’s statement is as follows: Tuesday. “Therefore, I feel compelled to withdraw this Symphony premiere from the Kennedy Center under its current leadership.”
“Lincoln” was originally scheduled to be performed at the Trump Kennedy Center on June 12 and June 13.
Accordingly Washington PostThe symphony was originally commissioned by the National Symphony Orchestra and the Kennedy Center in 2022 before facing several delays. It was later brought back to the center’s schedule as part of the “Our 250 Years” program to honor the country’s 250th anniversary.
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American composer Philip Glass attended the 41st Annual Kennedy Center Honors in Washington DC on December 2, 2018. (Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images)
In a comment to Fox News Digital, Roma Daravi, vice president of public affairs at the Trump Kennedy Center, criticized the decision, arguing that Glass was canceled due to political pressure.
Daravi said, “We have no place for politics in the arts, and those who call for boycotts based on politics are making the wrong decision. We have not canceled a single show. Leftist activists are pushing artists to cancel, but the public wants artists to perform and create – not to cancel under pressure from political insiders who benefit from creating division.”
Jean Davidson, general manager of the National Symphony Orchestra, also told Fox News Digital that the orchestra was not informed of this decision until Glass’ statement was released.
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“We have great admiration for Philip Glass and were surprised to learn of his decision at the same time as the press,” Davidson said.
On December 19, 2025, the new sign was unveiled at the Kennedy Center in Washington. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP Photo)
Glass was honored at the Kennedy Center in 2018 during President Donald Trump’s first term in office.
Glass is one of several artists or artists who have announced they will cancel performances at the center since Trump took over as president in February 2025.
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In March, “Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda announced he would be pulling the planned production of his musical in protest of Trump’s leadership, saying he “won’t be a part of it.”
Other artists began canceling shows after the Kennedy Center board voted unanimously in December to rename the institution the “Trump-Kennedy Center.”
President Donald Trump took over as chairman of the Kennedy Center in February. (Getty Images)
Kennedy Center President Richard Grenell denied the cancellations and said the artists involved had been held back under what he called previous “far-left leadership.”
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“The artists currently canceling shows were booked by the previous far-left leadership,” Grenell wrote on social media. “Their actions prove that the previous team was more concerned about singling out far-left political activists than artists willing to demonstrate for everyone, regardless of their political beliefs. Boycotting the Arts to show that you support the arts is a form of imbalance syndrome. Art is for everyone, and the left is going crazy about it.”
