National Philharmonic Orchestra – Postcards from America

Join NatPhil and conductor Daniel Hege for a musical journey across the Americas that captures a perfect snapshot of the American experience in each poignant work. Aaron Copland’s sweeping Appalachian Spring Suite paints a portrait of pioneer life, complete with the iconic Shaker hymn “Simple Gifts.” In Joan Tower’s Made in America, the familiar melody of “America the Beautiful” is explored as a love letter and challenge to the country. Samuel Barber sets James Agee’s prose to music in Knoxville: Summer of 1915, a nostalgic depiction of an idyllic evening in the American South as seen through the eyes of a child, sung by soprano Danielle Talamantes. The charm of George Gershwin takes center stage as Talamantes performs cherished songs like The Man I love and Love Is Here to Stay. The program concludes with the vibrant rhythms of Danzón No. 2 by Arturo Márquez, a colorful and electrifying work inspired by the dance halls of Veracruz that brings the concert to a joyful, high-energy close.

Saturday, November 7th at 7:30PM
The Music Center at Strathmore
Bethesda, MD