American Rhythm

Noble – Introspective – Challenging

“Big with the beauty of cosmic things”

Beginning with the stirring call of Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man, this concert explores the complexity of bravery, warfare and sacrifice. Arranged for voices by the composer himself, Barber’s beautifully introspective Adagio for Strings balances tension with resolve and serenity.  And America the Beautiful will ring throughout the hall.

The program features the winner of the second Stephen Paulus Emerging Composer competition, using text written by American poet Alan Seeger (uncle of Pete Seeger) while serving in World War I. (To learn more about the competition and the text chosen for this season’s compositions, see the Stephen Paulus Emerging Composer competition page.)

The concert culminates with Dreams of the Fallen by Jake Runestad, with text by award-winning poet and veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars, Brian Turner. Considered a groundbreaking work for solo piano, chorus and orchestra, Dreams of the Fallen explores the impact war has on an individual, especially after he or she returns from combat.

Celebrating heroism and bravery, True Concord turns to the best of American composers to address emotional issues with the power of music.