Sinfonia Da Camera: American Spring
Kenneth Tse, alto saxophone
PROGRAM
Aaron Copland, Appalachian Spring Suite
Lowell Liebermann, Concerto for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra Op. 145
Don Gillis, Symphony No. 5½
Samuel Barber, Adagio for Strings
George Gershwin, An American in Paris
The season finale of Sinfonia da Camera's 42nd season celebrates the richness of American music, from sweeping pastoral landscapes to the energy of vibrant city streets. This spirited program highlights the diversity of American composers and the unique voices that define the nation's musical identity.
Aaron Copland's Appalachian Spring Suite opens the concert with a vivid portrait of life in rural Pennsylvania. Originally composed for Martha Graham's ballet, the music follows a young couple beginning their life together on a farmhouse. Copland's transparent textures and shifting rhythms evoke moments of serenity, community, and exuberance-culminating in the beloved Shaker tune "Simple Gifts," a lasting symbol of American simplicity and hope. Sinfonia is honored to present the newly-composed Concerto for Alto Saxophone by Lowell Liebermann. Featuring Kenneth Tse-one of the world's leading classical saxophonists-as soloist, the concerto explores the saxophone's expressive potential, from lyrical warmth to virtuosic brilliance, all supported by Liebermann's richly textured orchestration. Don Gillis's Symphony No. 5½, subtitled "A Symphony for Fun," offers a light-hearted take on the symphonic tradition. Though cast in four movements, the piece brims with humor and charm with a playful musical language blending classical and jazz idioms.
The program closes with George Gershwin's An American in Paris, a colorful, jazz-inflected tone poem that captures the sights and sounds of 1920s Paris. Through bluesy melodies, vibrant rhythms, and iconic taxi horns, Gershwin blends European sophistication with American exuberance in a joyful and unforgettable finale.
Please note that the following items are not allowed in the concert hall: backpacks, large bags, strollers, instrument cases, food, beverages other than bottled water, tripods, signs, balloons, skateboards, bicycles, scooters, and any other items deemed to be dangerous or to pose an obstruction. Thank you for your cooperation with these guidelines.
