Philip Glass's Symphony No. 15, titled "Lincoln," received its world premiere at Tanglewood on Sunday, July 5, 2026, performed by the Boston Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Karen Kamensek. This premiere followed Glass's decision in January to withdraw the work from its originally scheduled debut at the Kennedy Center. Glass cited concerns that the Kennedy Center's values, particularly under its leadership since early 2025, conflicted with the symphony's message about Abraham Lincoln and the country's 250th anniversary during a period of national division.
The eight-movement symphony focuses entirely on Abraham Lincoln's own words, drawing from speeches like the 1838 Lyceum Address, his autobiography, and reflections on the Emancipation Proclamation. Baritone Zachary James portrayed Lincoln, delivering both sung and spoken passages. James noted the unique challenge and freedom in speaking Lincoln's words, especially poignant moments when the orchestra falls silent, allowing Lincoln's reflections—such as those on the Emancipation Proclamation—to resonate directly. Conductor Karen Kamensek, a long-time Glass collaborator, interpreted the music as presenting "four columns of sound," representing fundamental societal values.
The performance also included a suite of music from John Williams's score for the film "Lincoln" and a rendition of Aaron Copland's "Lincoln Portrait," narrated by Alec Baldwin. Glass, who will be 90 in January, was present for the premiere and received warm applause. The "Lincoln" Symphony is seen as a reflection on the fragility of democracy and Lincoln's legacy of unity, especially timely during current socio-political circumstances, according to both James and Glass's program notes. The work concludes with unusually quiet, sustained chords, in contrast to a typical grand finale.
