Philip Glass during the Kennedy Center Honors State Department Dinner in 2018, in Washington.Kevin Wolf/The Associated Press
American composer Philip Glass withdrew the world premiere of his symphony Lincoln from the Kennedy Center on Tuesday, saying the work’s values conflict with those of the performing arts venue that was taken over by President Donald Trump.
Glass is the latest musical luminary to withdraw from the Kennedy Center since Trump named himself chairman and filled its board with his allies last year. The Washington National Opera said this month it planned to leave its home of 50 years.
“After thoughtful consideration, I have decided to withdraw my Symphony No. 15 Lincoln from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts,” Glass, who turns 89 on Jan. 31, wrote in a statement posted on X.
“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,” he wrote.
The symphony had been scheduled to be performed in June.
In December, the institution’s board voted to rename it as the Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts, or Trump Kennedy Center for short.
Since then, many groups and artists have withdrawn from scheduled performances, citing the Republican leader’s takeover.
Democrats, noting that the centre’s name was established by Congress, have said Trump’s rebranding has no force of law. John F. Kennedy’s family denounced the renaming move as undermining the slain president’s legacy.
Proponents of the name change said Trump had strengthened the institution through fundraising and a focus on renovation.
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Roma Daravi, a spokesperson for the centre, did not mention Glass but characterized his decision as political.
“We have no place for politics in the arts, and those calling for boycotts based on politics are making the wrong decision,” she said in a statement.
Glass’ Symphony No. 15 Lincoln was commissioned by the National Symphony Orchestra and the Kennedy Center, the Washington Post reported.
Its premiere, already delayed, was due to be the centrepiece of the centre’s 250 Years of Us program to mark 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the newspaper said.
Jean Davidson, executive director of the National Symphony Orchestra, said, “We have great admiration for Philip Glass and were surprised to learn about his decision at the same time as the press.”