Symphony No. 13 (Glass)

Symphony No. 13
by Philip Glass
Period	Contemporary
Style	Postmodern, minimalist
Form	Symphony
Composed	2020
Duration	20 minutes [1]
Premiere
Date	March 20, 2022 (2022-03-20)
Location	Roy Thomson Hall, Toronto
Conductor	Alexander Shelley
Performers	National Arts Centre Orchestra

Symphony No. 13 (Truth in Our Time) is the thirteenth symphony written by American composer Philip Glass. It was commissioned by the National Arts Centre Orchestra as a tribute to Canadian-American journalist Peter Jennings. ^[2] The work was premiered by the orchestra under conductor Alexander Shelley on March 20th, 2022 at Roy Thomson Hall in Toronto.

History

The idea for the Symphony was first envisioned by Jennings' children, as a multimedia musical work, during a visit to their aunt Sarah in Ottawa. Their aunt had heard that the National Arts Centre Orchestra were looking to commission a new piece by an international composer. She gave her support without choosing the composer; the orchestra ending up choosing Philip Glass whom had been awarded the Glenn Gould Prize in Ottawa in 2016. ^[3] Glass composed the piece over the summer of 2020 ^[4]

External videos
The Symphony's World Premiere

The piece's world premiere was on March 20, 2022, 8 PM, at Roy Thomson Hall, Toronto. ^[5] The work debuted in the United States, alongside with a performance of Yurii Shevchenko  [ uk ]'s We Do Exist, ^[6] at Carnegie Hall, Manhattan, New York City on April 5, 2022, at 8 PM. ^{[7] [8]}

References

1. Symphony No. 13, philipglass.com
2. "NAC Orchestra's Alexander Shelley discusses new album and tribute to Canadian journalist Peter Jennings". The Globe and Mail. 2024-02-24. Retrieved 2025-11-18.
3. Saxberg, Lynn (April 8, 2022). "The National Arts Centre Orchestra played Carnegie Hall this week, for the first time in decades" . Retrieved November 18, 2025.
4. Saxberg, Lynn (2022-03-29). "NAC Orchestra debuts tribute to the late Peter Jennings" . Retrieved 2025-11-18.
5. "Truth in Our Time – Toronto | NAC Orchestra 2022 Tour | Wed, Mar 30, 2022, 8:00 pm | Roy Thomson Hall". nac-cna.ca. Retrieved 2025-11-18.
6. "Video Legendary news anchor honored at symphony". ABC News. Retrieved 2025-11-18.
7. Grella, George. "New York Classical Review". newyorkclassicalreview.com. Retrieved 2025-11-18.
8. "Presented by Canada's National Arts Centre Canada's National Arts Centre Orchestra Truth in our Time". www.carnegiehall.org. Retrieved 2025-11-18.