Poster United States Declaration of Independence
United States Declaration of Independence
Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain
Performance Today®

Rhapsody on an anthem

Composer Jessie Montgomery says she's made an attempt to answer the question: "What does an anthem for the 21st century sound like in today's multicultural environment?" On today's show, hear Montgomery's answer, a rhapsody on the Star Spangled Banner.

Episode Playlist

Hour 1

John Williams: Liberty Fanfare
Cincinnati Pops Orchestra; Erich Kunzel, conductor
American Jubilee
Telarc 80144

Kevin Puts: Millennium Canons
University of Georgia Wind Ensemble; John P. Lynch, conductor
Millennium Canons
Naxos 572231

Jessie Montgomery: Banner
String Orchestra featuring Catalyst Quartet; Julian Wachner, conductor
Strum: Music for Strings
Azica 71302

Michael Torke: Unconquered
The Philadelphia Orchestra; Cristian Macelaru, conductor
Unconquered: Michael Torke
Ecstatic Records 92271

Hour 2

Aaron Copland: The Red Pony, Film Suite for Orchestra: Movement 3a & 3b
Dallas Symphony Orchestra; Andrew Litton, conductor
A Copland Profile
Delos 3221

John Mackey: Aurora Awakes
United States Marine Band; Col. Jason K. Fettig, conductor
United States Marine Band, John Jay Senior High School, Hopewell Junction, NY

Aaron Copland: Rodeo, Ballet in One Act: Movements 2-5
Colorado Symphony; Andrew Litton, conductor and honky-tonk pianist
Copland: Billy the Kid, Rodeo, Etc.
Bis 2164

Ross Lee Finney: Fiddle-Doodle-Ad
Noah Geller, violin; Xak Bjerken, piano
Skaneateles Festival, First Presbyterian Church, Skaneateles, NY

Samuel Augustus Ward: America the Beautiful
Jeffrey Kahane, piano
Tippet Rise, LLC, The Olivier Music Barn, Fishtail, MT

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