In honor of Independence Day, we'll explore the music of some very independent composers who helped establish a uniquely American sound. They include Aaron Copland (courtesy of the Prairie Winds and the Aspen Chamber Symphony), George Gershwin (from the Jupiter String Quartet), Christopher Theofanidis (from a world premiere performance by the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra), and one of the country's first composers, John Antes.
Episode Playlist
Hour 1
George Whitefield Chadwick: "Evening Prayers" from Three Pieces for Children
Pianist Peter Kairoff
George Whitefield Chadwick: "The Aspen"
Pianist Peter Kairoff
Igor Stravinsky: "Fireworks", Op. 4
The French National Orchestra with conductor Alain Altinoglu
Theatre des Champs-Elysees, Paris
Traditional: "She'll Be Comin''Round the Mountain"
The Prairie Winds
Dennos Museum Center, Traverse City, Michigan
Aaron Copland: "Simple Gifts" from "Appalachian Spring"
The Prairie Winds
Dennos Museum Center, Traverse City, Michigan
Christopher Theofanidis: "Muse"
The Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
Carnegie Hall, New York City
Paul Moravec: "Evermore"
Violinist Maria Bachmann and pianist Jon Klibonoff
Merkin Concert Hall, New York City
Aaron Copland: Interlude, Burlesque and Epilogue from "Music for the Theatre"
The Aspen Chamber Symphony with conductor Leonard Slatkin
Aspen Music Festival, Aspen, Colorado
George Gershwin: "Lullaby" for String Quartet
The Jupiter String Quartet
New York Society for Ethical Culture, New York City
Hour 2
Walter Neville: "Hurrah for Our National Game"
Pianist Jacqueline Schwab
Hosea Ripley Manuscripts Collection: "The Red Stocking Quickstep"
The American Brass Quintet Brass Band
New York Public Library
John Stafford Smith: "The Star-Spangled Banner"
The Nashville Symphony Orchestra with conductor Leonard Slatkin
Schermerhorn Symphony Center, Nashville
John Antes: Trio in D Minor for Two Violins and Cello, Op. 3, No. 2
Violinists Nelson Lee and Meg Freivogel, and cellist Daniel McDonough
New York Society for Ethical Culture, New York City
Felix Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto in E Minor, Op. 64
Violinist Nicola Benedetti with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and conductor Christoph Konig
Shanghai Concert Hall, Shanghai, China
John Philip Sousa: "Stars and Stripes Forever"
The Dallas Wind Symphony with conductor Col. Arnald Gabriel
Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, Dallas
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