Celebrated composer Philip Glass pulls the plug on world premiere at Kennedy Center, citing president's divisive policies.
In a move that has left music lovers stunned, renowned American composer Philip Glass announced he is withdrawing the world premiere of his Symphony No. 15 "Lincoln" from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The symphony, which pays tribute to President Abraham Lincoln, was set to make its stage debut on June 12 and 13, but Glass has now cancelled those plans.
According to a statement released by the composer, his decision stems from his disagreement with the current leadership of the Kennedy Center. He cited that the venue's values are in direct conflict with the message of his symphony, which celebrates unity, equality, and justice – all principles that have come under attack during the presidency of Donald Trump.
Glass's move is part of a larger backlash against the Trump administration's policies, particularly its approach to what it perceives as "woke" culture. Critics argue that the administration's attempts to politicize the arts have alienated performers and undermined artistic freedom.
The situation at the Kennedy Center has been marred by controversy since Trump took office, with several high-profile artists cancelling performances in protest of his policies. The center was recently rebranded as the "Trump-Kennedy Center," sparking outrage among artists and critics alike.
Glass's decision to withdraw his symphony from the Kennedy Center comes as the institution is grappling with a leadership overhaul initiated by Trump. The president has installed a new board of trustees, which many see as having a pro-Trump agenda.
As tensions continue to simmer at the Kennedy Center, Glass's move serves as a stark reminder of the impact that politics can have on artistic expression. With his symphony now off the cards, music lovers will be left wondering what could have been – and what might come next for this legendary composer.
In a move that has left music lovers stunned, renowned American composer Philip Glass announced he is withdrawing the world premiere of his Symphony No. 15 "Lincoln" from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The symphony, which pays tribute to President Abraham Lincoln, was set to make its stage debut on June 12 and 13, but Glass has now cancelled those plans.
According to a statement released by the composer, his decision stems from his disagreement with the current leadership of the Kennedy Center. He cited that the venue's values are in direct conflict with the message of his symphony, which celebrates unity, equality, and justice – all principles that have come under attack during the presidency of Donald Trump.
Glass's move is part of a larger backlash against the Trump administration's policies, particularly its approach to what it perceives as "woke" culture. Critics argue that the administration's attempts to politicize the arts have alienated performers and undermined artistic freedom.
The situation at the Kennedy Center has been marred by controversy since Trump took office, with several high-profile artists cancelling performances in protest of his policies. The center was recently rebranded as the "Trump-Kennedy Center," sparking outrage among artists and critics alike.
Glass's decision to withdraw his symphony from the Kennedy Center comes as the institution is grappling with a leadership overhaul initiated by Trump. The president has installed a new board of trustees, which many see as having a pro-Trump agenda.
As tensions continue to simmer at the Kennedy Center, Glass's move serves as a stark reminder of the impact that politics can have on artistic expression. With his symphony now off the cards, music lovers will be left wondering what could have been – and what might come next for this legendary composer.
. I love his work and was really looking forward to hearing this new piece. It's crazy that politics is affecting arts performances like this. The values of unity, equality, and justice are what we should be celebrating in music, not being forced apart by politicians who don't respect the power of art to bring us together 
. I'm worried about what other artists will do next... will they be silenced too? 
... either way, this whole thing makes me think about how art can be both a powerful tool for social change and a reflection of our own biases and prejudices 
. I mean, who else can just walk away from one of his biggest opportunities because they can't stomach the values of the place where it's supposed to be happening? It's crazy how politics and art collide like that. The Kennedy Center used to be this amazing hub for music and culture, but now it sounds like it's lost its way 
. I hope he sticks to his guns and doesn't let them silence him 
. And can we talk about how messed up it is that they had to rebrand the center as the "Trump-Kennedy Center" 
? It's like they're trying to erase the legacy of JFK himself 
. Anyway, I'm gonna keep an eye on this situation and see what happens next 
.