American Mosaic

The Cleveland Philharmonic Orchestra, under the direction of Music Director Dean Buck, presents an exciting afternoon of uplifting music that celebrates America 250 through a diversity of inspiring compositions.  Fanfare for the Common Man was written by American composer Aaron Copland in 1942 and was inspired by a speech made by the Vice President Henry Wallace when he proclaimed the dawning of the “Century of the Common Man”.

William Grant Still wrote the Afro-American Symphony in 1930.  It was the first symphony composed by an African American and performed in the United States by a leading orchestra.  The symphony combines a symphonic form with music that was popular with Black culture at the time.  Quotes from poet Paul Laurence Dunbar are epigraphs for each movement of the symphony.

Margaret Bruower is a professor emeritus at the Cleveland Institute of Music.  She is a prolific composer of chamber and symphonic music and is revered as one of America’s most acclaimed and innovative composers.  Remembrances is a tone poem that evokes images of grief, memories of a loved one, admiration, and a love of sailing.

Kirsten Kunkle is lauded as the leading Native American soprano in today’s classical music world.  She has performed widely in musical theater and operas, founded an opera company, and taught at the university level as well as in her own vocal studio.

Enjoy an exciting and inspiring afternoon of music that celebrates our nation’s 250th birthday through the works of American composers and performers.