New World Symphony

America’s “purple mountain majesty and amber waves of grain” are the inspiration for these performances featuring the “New World” Symphony by Dvořák, ragtime tunes by Scott Joplin, Three Spirituals for Orchestra by Adolphus Hailstork, “Love Will Find a Way” by Eubie Blake, and the 2024 GRAMMY-winning composition, Rounds, by Jessie Montgomery. Pianist and KUSC host Lara Downes is the featured soloist.

“The heartbeat of American music is propulsive and yet expansive, as demonstrated by this treasure trove of works. I look forward to welcoming Lara Downes to our stages and wowing our community with synchronized drone imagery by photo historian Joe Sohm, set to Dvořák’s glorious ‘New World’ Symphony. This Americana-inspired program reminds us of the wondrous natural beauty of our country and the imagination of artists to reflect our heritage through music.” ~Music Director Michael Christie

THE PROGRAM

Michael Christie, conductor

Lara Downes, piano

Joseph Sohm, photo historian

Adolphus Hailstork | Three Spirituals for Orchestra – “Every Time I Feel the Spirit, Kum Ba Yah, Oh Freedom”

Blake/Arroyo | “Love Will Find a Way”

Jessie Montgomery | Rounds for Piano and String Orchestra

Joplin/Buck | Two Rags for Piano and Orchestra (Elite Syncopations, Maple Leaf Rag)

Dvořák | Symphony No. 9, “From the New World”

accompanied by stunning images by Joseph Sohm and pre-recorded narration by William Shatner

Encore: Audience Sing-along

led by Devon Geyer and Burleigh Drummond Jr.