Ladies Musical Club of Seattle presents Americana: Music by Copland, Beach, & Bernstein
Free
Amy Beach — Autumn Song Op. 56 No. 1
Amy Beach — Sleep Little Darling Op. 29 No. 3
Amy Beach — Four Songs for Children Op. 75
Leonard Bernstein — I Hate Music!: A Cycle of Five Kid Songs
A free Ladies Musical Club all-American concert to complement the Seattle Art Museum's special exhibit, Figuring History: Robert Colescott, Kerry James Marshall, Mickalene Thomas, three singular American artists whose work redefines history painting in a contemporary context.
Breanna Hanson, soprano
Annie Center, piano
Amy Marcy Beach – Autumn Song, Op. 56, No. 1
Amy Marcy Beach – Four Songs for Children, Op. 75
Amy Marcy Beach – Sleep, Little Darling, Op. 29, No. 3
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Karin McCullough, piano
Aaron Copland – Appalachian Spring arranged for solo piano
• Very slowly. Introduction of the characters, one by one, in a suffused light.
• Fast/Allegro. Sudden burst of unison strings in A major arpeggios starts the action. A sentiment both elated and religious gives the keynote to this scene.
• Moderate/Moderato. Duo for the Bride and her Intended – scene of tenderness and passion.
• Quite fast. The Revivalist and his flock. Folksy feeling – suggestions of square dances and country fiddlers.
• Still faster/Subito Allegro. Solo dance of the Bride – presentiment of motherhood. Extremes of joy and fear and wonder.
• Very slowly (as at first). Transition scene to music reminiscent of the introduction.
• Calm and flowing/Doppio Movimento. Scenes of daily activity for the Bride and her Farmer husband. There are five variations on a Shaker theme. The theme, sung by a solo clarinet, was taken from a collection of Shaker melodies compiled by Edward D. Andrews, and published under the title “The Gift to Be Simple.” The melody borrowed and used almost literally is called “Simple Gifts.”
• Moderate. Coda/Moderato – Coda. The Bride takes her place among her neighbors. At the end the couple are left “quiet and strong in their new house.” Muted strings intone a hushed prayerlike chorale passage. The close is reminiscent of the opening music.
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Tiina Ritalahti, soprano
Annie Center, piano
Leonard Bernstein – I Hate Music