Philip Glass withdraws world premiere of his Lincoln symphony from Kennedy Center

The composer's decision reflects growing tension between artistic expression and political power

Jan. 27, 2026 at 3:31pm

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Renowned composer Philip Glass has withdrawn the world premiere of his symphony inspired by Abraham Lincoln from the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. This decision comes as the performing arts venue has been rebranded as the 'Trump-Kennedy Center,' signaling a broader trend of the increasing politicization of the arts and the escalating conflict between artistic freedom and political influence.

Why it matters

Glass's withdrawal is not an isolated incident, but rather a symptom of a global pattern where governments and political factions are increasingly targeting cultural institutions perceived as aligning with opposing ideologies. This trend threatens to undermine the independence and creative expression of artists, with potential long-term consequences for the diversity and innovation of the arts.

The details

The current situation reflects a deliberate strategy to weaponize culture wars, with the term 'woke' being used to discredit art that challenges established norms or promotes progressive values. This trend extends beyond the US, with similar debates around funding and political influence over arts organizations seen in the UK and Hungary.

  • On January 27, 2026, Philip Glass announced his decision to withdraw the world premiere of his Lincoln symphony from the Kennedy Center.

The players

Philip Glass

A renowned American composer known for his minimalist style and influential works, including operas, symphonies, and film scores.

Kennedy Center

A performing arts center in Washington, D.C., that has recently been rebranded as the 'Trump-Kennedy Center,' reflecting the growing politicization of cultural institutions.

Sheldon Whitehouse

A U.S. Senator who has drawn parallels between the current situation and 'brigands taking the ship,' highlighting the deliberate strategy to target cultural institutions perceived as aligning with opposing ideologies.

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What they’re saying

“We're seeing governments and political factions increasingly target cultural institutions perceived as aligning with opposing ideologies.”

— Sheldon Whitehouse, U.S. Senator

What’s next

The withdrawal of the world premiere of Philip Glass's Lincoln symphony from the Kennedy Center is part of a broader trend that will likely continue to shape the future of the arts, as cultural institutions and artists navigate the delicate balance between political pressures and artistic freedom.

The takeaway

The case of Philip Glass and the Kennedy Center serves as a warning about the dangers of the politicization of the arts, underscoring the importance of defending artistic freedom and protecting cultural institutions from political interference. The arts are essential to a healthy and vibrant society, and their independence must be safeguarded.