An anticipated cultural moment at Washington’s Trump–Kennedy Center has been pulled, and the reason has nothing to do with rehearsal schedules or ticket sales.
Renowned composer Philip Glass has cancelled the debut of his newest work, stepping away just weeks before it was set to take the stage.
Why Philip Glass Walked Away
Glass, 88, had planned to premiere Symphony No. 15: “Lincoln,” a piece inspired by Abraham Lincoln and the ideals tied to the 16th U.S. president.
But in a public statement posted Tuesday, the composer said he could no longer move forward at the venue under its current leadership.
According to Glass, the values he associates with the symphony clash sharply with what he believes the Kennedy Center now represents.
That disconnect, he said, left him with no choice but to withdraw the work altogether.
The Minneapolis Protest That Changed Everything
The cancellation follows a deadly confrontation over the weekend in Minneapolis.
During anti-immigration demonstrations on Saturday, federal agents shot and killed Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old nurse from Virginia.
The incident has sparked outrage and protests nationwide, and it weighed heavily on Glass’s decision.
For the composer, the moment drew a line between the message of his music and the political atmosphere surrounding the venue.
Kennedy Center Pushes Back on Politics in the Arts
The Kennedy Center, however, is not backing down.
Vice President of Public Relations Roma Daravi rejected the idea that the arts space should be dragged into political battles.
She said the Center has not cancelled any performances and criticized calls for boycotts, arguing that audiences want creativity—not cancellations driven by political pressure.
Daravi also suggested that activists were urging artists to pull out, even though, in her words, the public simply wants to see art created and performed.
A Giant of American Music
Glass’s decision carries weight because of who he is.
Widely considered one of the most influential composers of the 20th century, he has shaped American music for decades.
His résumé includes a Golden Globe for The Truman Show score, the National Medal of Arts awarded by Barack Obama in 2015, and recognition as part of the 2018 Kennedy Center Honors class.
Walking away from a Kennedy Center premiere is no small statement for someone so deeply tied to the institution’s history.
A Symphony Delayed Again
Symphony No. 15: “Lincoln” was slated to be performed by the National Symphony Orchestra in June, as part of the broader celebrations marking America’s 250th anniversary in 2026.
The work had already faced delays, with its original debut planned back in 2022.
Now, its future performance date is uncertain once again.
Orchestra Leaders Caught Off Guard
The National Symphony Orchestra did not see this coming.
Executive director Jean Davidson told The Washington Post that the organization holds Glass in high regard and was stunned to learn of his decision at the same time the public did.
There was no advance warning, she said—just a sudden, high-profile withdrawal.
A Growing List of Cancellations
Glass is not alone. Since the Kennedy Center’s board voted in December to add Donald Trump’s name to the building, a growing number of artists have chosen to cancel appearances there.
The move has stirred unease across the creative community.
Kennedy Family Voices Their Anger
The name change has also hit close to home for the Kennedy family.
Several relatives have publicly criticized the decision, including Kerry Kennedy, niece of former President John F. Kennedy.
She went so far as to say she would gladly take a pickaxe to the Trump lettering once he leaves office.
What Comes Next
For now, the fate of Glass’s Lincoln symphony remains unclear, and the Kennedy Center continues to operate amid rising cultural tension.
Whether more artists will follow Glass’s lead—or whether the backlash fades—may determine how deeply politics reshapes one of America’s most iconic arts institutions.
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