Overview
- Fleck withdrew from three February National Symphony Orchestra concerts, saying the venue has become “charged and political” and that the focus should be on music.
- The Kennedy Center’s listing cites “personal issues” for his withdrawal and says NSO principal clarinet Lin Ma will perform Copland’s Clarinet Concerto in the program.
- Kennedy Center president Richard Grenell criticized Fleck on X, and he previously threatened jazz drummer Chuck Redd with a $1 million claim after a Christmas Eve cancellation.
- New pullouts continue, with Grammy-nominated Sonia De Los Santos canceling Feb. 7 family shows, joining Stephen Schwartz, The Cookers, Doug Varone and others who recently exited.
- Trump’s board overhaul and the name change have drawn legal challenges and Kennedy family objections, while reports point to steep ticket-sale declines and record-low Honors TV ratings.