In Their Own Words :
NOTES FROM THE COMPOSERS
JESSIE MONTGOMERY
KEVIN PUTS AND MARIN ALSOP
Banner by Jessie Montgomery
Banner is a tribute to the 200th anniversary of the U . S . national anthem and is a rhapsody on the theme of “ The Star-Spangled Banner .” Drawing on musical and historical sources from various world anthems , I ’ ve attempted to answer the question : “ What does an anthem for the 21st century sound like in today ’ s multicultural environment ?”
While writing a tribute to the election of Barack Obama , I wove together “ The Star-Spangled Banner ” with “ Lift Every Voice and Sing ” by James Weldon Johnson to compose Anthem . Banner picks up where Anthem left off , and a variety of cultural anthems , American folk songs , and popular idioms interact to form various textures .
For most Americans , the “ The Star-Spangled Banner ” represents a paradigm of liberty and solidarity against fierce odds , and for others it implies a contradiction between the ideals of freedom and the realities of injustice and oppression . It is my opinion that we Americans are perpetually in search of ways to celebrate our ideals of freedom — a way to proclaim , “ we ’ ve made it !” as if the very action of saying it makes it so . A tribute to the national anthem means acknowledging the contradictions , leaps and bounds , and milestones that allow us to celebrate and maintain the tradition of our ideals .
It is a privilege to be able to publicly share my deep admiration and gratitude for Maestra Marin Alsop as an artistic force and model of leadership in whom conviction and humanity are firmly positioned at the forefront . I am fortunate to have been able to develop my artistic vision and practice in the era of Marin , seeing the ritual of each performance begin with her dynamic step onto the podium , on the most prestigious stages around the world , modeling the embodiment of power , grace , attention , tenderness , commitment , and above all , collaboration and unity . I am incredibly honored that she has selected my work , Banner , to open this festival at this time , in her name , in her beloved city .
– Jessie Montgomery
Marimba Concerto by Kevin Puts
My Marimba Concerto from 1997 is one of the few student works that I will allow to be performed ! I composed it while completing my doctorate at the Eastman School of Music . This is a work that Marin has , to date , never conducted , and I see it as a very fitting final performance of my work during her historic tenure as Music Director of the BSO . From Marin ’ s first performance of my work at the Cabrillo Festival in 2002 , her influence and support have been a guiding force in my career . I owe so much to her belief in me , as do so many composers , and I look forward with great anticipation to what lies ahead for her . Thank you , Marin .
— Kevin Puts
November 2012
Brought the BSO Back to Carnegie Hall for Arthur Honegger ’ s Infrequently Performed Jeanne d ’ Arc au Bûcher
May 2013
Funded a Pilot Partnership with Parsons School of Design to Reimagine Traditional Concert Dress
14 BALTIMORE SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA