Music composer Philip Glass has recalled his symphony from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in protest.
The work in question is the Symphony No. 15, a symphony he composed honoring former US President Abraham Lincoln. He created it on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the John. F. Kennedy Center. However, on Tuesday, Philip Glass sent a letter to the institute, informing his decision to withdraw the work. He wrote: “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.” The move came just months before the symphony was scheduled to be performed for the first time by the National Symphony Orchestra.
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Last year, the board at the Kennedy Center voted to include US President Donald Trump in the institution’s administration. The move drew widespread criticism, largely due to its dubious legality. Since then, many artists – some of whose works are part of the Kennedy Center – have criticized the institute. Famous soprano Renée Fleming ended her affiliation with the institute, while the Washington National Opera moved out of the center earlier this month, ending a 54-year partnership. Meanwhile, the National Symphony Orchestra has reaffirmed its affiliation with the center and its desire to make the performance in June happen regardless.
