American Roots

Description

Eric Jacobsen, conductor | Grace Park, violin | Lyman Brodie, trumpet | Sotos Djiovanis, english horn | Central Florida Community Arts Chorus

Written as incidental music for Irwin Shaw’s play of the same name, Copland’s Quiet City is an ode to New York City, the city that never sleeps, represented by the trumpet solo, and the lonely people that inhabit it, portrayed by the English horn. By contrast, Copland used a variety of subject matters as inspiration for his Old American Songs, including politics, love, death, children, and religion.

Grace Park is a dynamic violinist, dedicated chamber musician, and passionate pedagogue. Her diverse career has carried her from the world’s foremost concert halls to universities around the country as a soloist, collaborator, coach, and multi-disciplinary educator. As part of a residency at Carnegie Hall- Ensemble Connect program, Ms. Park pairs her elite musicianship with a fervent commitment to community engagement. Ms. Park plays on a 1799 Nicolas Lupot, generously on loan from a private collection.

“Fresh, Different and exhilarating” – NY Times

Beethoven called his Symphony No. 8 his “little Symphony in F” to distinguish it from the longer and more substantial Symphony No. 6, also in F Major.  Given that this symphony was written at a time in his life when Beethoven was despondent over a failed relationship and was having thoughts of suicide, it is remarkable that he was able to create this joyous, perfect classical masterpiece.