Classical music isn’t just something written by white Euro-American guys. Other cultures have also made their mark, bringing individual cultural voices to the concert hall for all audiences to experience, even alongside Beethoven. Classical music historian and frequent public speaker Betsy Schwarm brings her user-friendly approach to the topic. Spaniard Joaquin Rodrigo, American Duke Ellington, and Chinese composer Tan Dun have all been part of the action: diverse voices bringing personal perspectives to great music. Concierto de Aranjuez is just a start!
A single one-hour program will cover:
Joaquin Rodrigo (1901 – 1999): Concierto de Aranjuez (Spain)
Duke Ellington (1899 – 1974): Black, Brown and Beige (US)
Tan Dun (b. 1957): Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (China)
If three separate one-hour programs:
Act I: African Origins
Chevalier de Saint-Georges (Joseph Bologne) (1745 – 1799): Violin Concerto in A major, op. 5, no. 2 (Guadeloupe/France)
Samuel Coleridge Taylor (1875 – 1912): Hiawatha’s Wedding Feast (England)
Florence Price (1887 – 1953): Symphony no. 3 in c minor (US)
Duke Ellington (1899 – 1974): Black, Brown and Beige (US)
Justinian Tamusuza (b. 1951): Ekitundu ekisooka (Uganda)
Billy Childs (b. 1957): The Vistas of America (US)
Act II: Asian Atmospheres
Xian Xinghai (1905 – 1945): Yellow River Cantata (China)
Toru Takemitsu (1930 – 1996): A String Around Autumn (viola concerto: 1989) (Japan)
He Zhan Hao (b. 1933) & Chen Gang (b. 1935): Butterfly Lovers Concerto (Japan)
Dia Succari (1938 – 2010): Suite for clarinet and orchestra, “Paroles” (Syria)
Tan Dun (b. 1957): Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon (China)
Kenji Bunch (b. 1973): Serenade for flute, violin, and viola (2013) (Japanese American)
Act III: Latin Spirit
Isaac Albéniz (1860 – 1909): Asturias (Spain)
Carlos Chávez (1899 – 1978): Sinfonia india (Mexico)
Joaquin Rodrigo (1901 – 1999): Concierto de Aranjuez (Spain)
Alberto Ginastera (1916 – 1983): Estancia (Argentina)
Robert Sierra (b. 1953): Sinfonia no. 3, “La Salsa” (Puerto Rico)
Clarice Assad (b. 1978): Sin Fronteras (Brazil/US)