American Beauty (Celebrating America 250)

Andrew Constantine, conductor 
Holly Mulcahy, violin 

Join us for the first of five concerts programmed to celebrate America’s 250th birthday with music by American composers. Joan Tower highlights percussion instruments in Tambor, a one-movement work in which the entire orchestra takes on percussive characteristics. Next, George S. Clinton’s The Rose of Sonora is a violin concerto inspired by and simulating an old Western with movements acting as scenes. The piece was originally written for soloist Holly Mulcahy, who portrayed an outlaw in music helping to make the work more relatable for today’s audiences. Clinton’s experience as a film composer helps bring his music to life. Last, but surely not least, the finale of the evening is the familiar Grand Canyon Suite by Ferde Grofe, a tribute to the incredible natural beauty of America.

PROGRAM