NEW WORLD SYMPHONY WITH HEYWARD
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
By Catherine Case
James Lee III
Born 1975
AMER ’ ICAN [ 2019 ]
James Lee III was born in St . Joseph , Michigan , and is currently a professor of music at Morgan State University in Baltimore . Amer ’ ican , which was premiered in 2021 by the Detroit Symphony , is the composer ’ s response to Dvořák ’ s “ New World ” Symphony and various 18th-century paintings of indigenous Americans .
Lee describes the music in his own words : “ The work opens with imaginary , evocative scenes of Pre-Colombian America . This music evokes imagery of a couple of definitions of the Anishinaabeg / Anishinaabe Native American Indians from [ my home state of ] Michigan . The definition of the name [ can be translated as ] ‘ Beings made out of nothing ,’ ‘ People created by divine breath ,’ and ‘ People from whence lowered .’ From this last definition , I drew inspiration from the indigenous tribes particularly on the East coast and Southern United States , especially the Shinnecock , Choctaw , Chickasaw , Creek , Wampanoag , and Yamasee Indians .”
A four-note motive of interlocking descending intervals that connect to the syllables A-MER-I- CAN pervade the piece along with hints of the theme from Dvořák ’ s symphony that recalls the spiritual , “ Swing Low , Sweet Chariot .” As the texture grows thicker , the music shifts to depict an ancient ballgame called Ulama that was played in Mesoamerica . The fun of the game collides with the brutal practice of killing the losing team in a ritual sacrifice . According to the composer , the crashing chords that follow “ represent 1492 and an American continent that would forever be changed .” Over subdued strings , the bassoon and oboe play a mournful solo . A quote from the spiritual “ Here ’ s One ” enters on the flute with what Lee calls a “ particular ‘ Indian / Indigenous ’ coloring of sorrow .” From here , earlier music returns , “ representing memories of unbridled freedom and exhilaration [ that ] continue to grow into an explosive end .”
Instrumentation Two flutes and piccolo , two oboes , two clarinets , two bassoons , four horns , two trumpet , three trombone , tuba , timpani , bass drum , tenor drum , timbales , maracas , sleigh bells , temple blocks , cymbal , wood blocks , tomtoms , glass wind chimes , egg shaker , xylophone , suspended cymbal , tam tam , tambourine .
George Gershwin
Born September 26 , 1898 in Brooklyn , New York Died July 11 , 1937 in Hollywood , California
PIANO CONCERTO IN F [ 1925 ]
George Gershwin was the son of Russian and Lithuanian Jewish immigrants who settled in Brooklyn , New York , to raise their four children . The oldest son ( and future lyricist for George ’ s songs ), Ira , was given a piano but it was George who took a shine to the instrument . His piano teacher recognized his genius early on and fostered the boy ’ s love of classical music , urging him to attend as many concerts as he could . As a teenager , Gershwin learned all the popular songs of
ANTHONY BLAKE CLARK , Music Director
HUMAN REQUIEM SUN , NOVEMBER 5 | 3 PM | SHRIVER HALL Brahms Ein Deutsches Requiem Thompson Seven Last Words of the Unarmed
CHRISTMAS WITH CHORAL ARTS TUES , DECEMBER 5 | 7:30 PM | BALTIMORE BASILICA The cherished Baltimore holiday tradition continues with joyful music and festive sing-alongs .
PRAISE , MAGNIFIED SUN , MARCH 17 | 3 PM | SHRIVER HALL J . S . Bach Magnificat Rutter Magnificat
Resonance
CHORAL ARTS GALA FRI , APRIL 12 | 6:30 PM | BALTIMORE MUSEUM OF INDUSTRY Join us for a celebration in support of Choral Arts ' education and outreach initiatives .
2 0 2 3 - 2 0 2 4
C O N C E R T
S E A S O N
SAT , OCTOBER 7 | 3:30 PM Rehearsal 11:15 AM
Grace United Methodist Church
SAT , APRIL 13 | 2 PM Rehearsal 11 AM
BaltimoreChoralArts . org 410-523-7070 On social media @ BaltimoreChoralArts
SEP-OCT 2023 / OVERTURE 21