Philip Glass cancels Kennedy Center premiere after Trump takeover

Composer Philip Glass withdrew the world premiere of his Symphony No. 15 "Lincoln" from the Kennedy Center, saying the center's values conflict with the symphony; the premiere had been scheduled for June.

Composer Philip Glass withdrew the world premiere of his Symphony No. 15 "Lincoln" from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, announcing the decision on social media. He said the values of the Kennedy Center now conflict with the message of the symphony after President Donald Trump took over the institution and named himself chairman. The work had been commissioned by the National Symphony Orchestra and the Kennedy Center and was scheduled to be performed in June. Key facts: - Philip Glass withdrew his Symphony No. 15 "Lincoln" from the Kennedy Center. - Glass said the institution's values are in direct conflict with the symphony's message following the reported takeover. - The symphony was commissioned by the National Symphony Orchestra and the Kennedy Center and its premiere had been set for June. Summary: Glass's withdrawal is one of several publicly reported departures by artists and groups since the center's board voted to rename the institution after President Trump. The cancellation removes the planned centerpiece from the Kennedy Center's "250 Years of Us" program. Undetermined at this time.