Philip Glass to Mark 90th Birthday With World Premiere Symphony and Global Events
The Boston Symphony Orchestra will present the world premiere of SYMPHONY NO. 15: LINCOLN at Tanglewood.
Composer Philip Glass will celebrate his 90th birthday on January 31, 2027 with an international multi-season series of concerts, operas, theatrical productions, dance performances, film presentations, and special releases honoring his decades-long career.
Highlights of the worldwide celebration include the world premiere of Glass’ Symphony No. 15: Lincoln, the 50th anniversary of EINSTEIN ON THE BEACH, performances by major orchestras and opera companies, and a series of events from Orange Mountain Music. Additional programming and tributes are expected to be announced throughout the coming year.
Symphony No. 15: Lincoln
Glass’ Symphony No. 15: Lincoln will receive its world premiere July 5, 2026 with the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood, followed by performances in Santa Cruz, Newport News, New York, London, Los Angeles, and Baltimore through 2027.
The symphony for baritone and orchestra draws from speeches and letters by Abraham Lincoln. The work was originally scheduled to premiere at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts before Glass withdrew it from the venue earlier this year.
“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,” Glass said in a statement announcing the decision.
50th Anniversary of EINSTEIN ON THE BEACH
Glass and the late Robert Wilson’s EINSTEIN ON THE BEACH will mark its 50th anniversary in 2026 with international tours, new productions, and anniversary performances.
Celebrations will include a worldwide concert tour by the Philip Glass Ensemble, a European tour from ICTUS and Collegium Vocale Gent with Suzanne Vega, and a new immersive production directed by Phelim McDermott premiering in Manchester in June 2027.
Originally premiering at the Avignon Festival in 1976, EINSTEIN ON THE BEACH became one of the defining experimental theater works of the 20th century and later transferred to the Metropolitan Opera House in New York.
Opera, Symphony, Dance, and Film Events
The anniversary season will also include opera revivals and concert performances across Europe and the United States, including productions of AKHNATEN, LA BELLE ET LA BÊTE, WAITING FOR THE BARBARIANS, and THE JUNIPER TREE.
Major orchestras including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Boston Symphony Orchestra, and Orchestra of St. Luke's will present all-Glass symphonic programs and performances of works including Violin Concerto No. 1, Symphony No. 1, and Symphony No. 8.
Dance programming tied to the celebration will feature works choreographed by Benjamin Millepied, Twyla Tharp, Lucinda Childs, and David Dawson, while film events will include live-to-picture presentations of the Qatsi Trilogy by the Philip Glass Ensemble.
Orange Mountain Music Releases
Orange Mountain Music has also launched a series of commemorative releases tied to the celebration, beginning with Allen Ginsberg – One Hundred, a three-track EP released May 15 honoring the centennial of poet Allen Ginsberg.
Videos
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