Music of a New America

Every nation has a musical story – America’s is one of transformation and courage.

Our first subscription concert of the year, Music of a New America, traces that journey: from the grandeur of the German Romantic tradition to the folk melodies of the British Isles, from the influence of French modernism to the cinematic brilliance of Hollywood, culminating in a uniquely American symphonic voice.

The evening begins with the electrifying overture to Der Freischütz by Carl Maria von Weber – one of the foundational works of German Romantic opera. Sweeping melodies, dramatic contrasts, and rich orchestral colors made Weber’s music revolutionary in its time, helping define the emotional and imaginative possibilities of the modern orchestra. Today, the overture remains a thrilling concert favorite and a reminder of the Germanic musical traditions that formed the earliest roots of American classical music.

From there, we move into the music of living American composer Holland Albright and his radiant Tree of Life. A self-taught composer, Albright embodies the spirit of American creativity and artistic independence. Tree of Life also reflects the lasting influence of the French musical tradition – the luminous harmonies and colors that inspired generations of American composers, including Aaron Copland and many others who sought to create a distinctly American voice in classical music.

Rebecca Dale’s Soay offers a moment of intimacy and reflection. Based on a traditional melody from the Scottish Isles, this lush and lyrical work for solo violin and orchestra celebrates the enduring role of folk music in shaping both American classical music and the popular traditions that followed. Beneath its beauty lies something deeply familiar: the idea that music passed from generation to generation can become the cultural heartbeat of an entire people.

No exploration of American music would be complete without Hollywood. Few composers have shaped modern musical culture more profoundly than John Williams, whose scores have become part of the global musical imagination. The iconic “Raiders March” from Raiders of the Lost Ark captures everything audiences love about Williams’s music – adventure, heroism, energy, and unforgettable melody. In many ways, film music has become one of America’s greatest musical exports, carrying the sound of the orchestra to millions around the world.

The concert concludes with the powerful and deeply moving Symphony No. 2 by William Grant Still. Often called the “Dean of African American Composers,” Still left medical school to pursue music, forging a remarkable career that crossed genres and traditions. He arranged for blues legend W. C. Handy, performed alongside jazz artists during the Harlem Renaissance, and later composed symphonies, operas, ballets, and film music. His Second Symphony is a vision of America itself: diverse, lyrical, hopeful, and unified through many voices and traditions. The symphony’s final moments: triumphant brass and resonant harmonies suspended high in the strings, feel almost like a musical vision of the future, echoing with optimism and possibility.

Tonight, we celebrate not only these remarkable composers, but the generations of musical traditions, cultures, and stories that helped shape the sound of America itself.