Aaron Copland’s “Appalachian Spring” stands as an emblematic American masterpiece, transporting listeners to a time of simpler living and boundless hope. Chronicling a day in the life of a pioneer couple in 19th-century Pennsylvania, from their initial exuberance of a spring morning to the dedication of their new farmhouse, the piece is steeped in the cycles of life and nature.
This new sextet version created by our own Sam Hong captures both the power of the full orchestral suite and the intimate richness of Copland’s 13-player chamber version, while bringing a new sense of fluidity and individuality that only true chamber music can achieve. Also on the program is Ernö Dohnányi’s raucous Sextet, Op. 37 for the same instrumentation, a musical rollick inspired by Dohnányi’s own encounter with American Golden Era Jazz.
Another possibility to pair with either the Dohnányi or Copland on this program is Strauss’ Death and Transfiguration, which can be performed in a variety of instrumentations – including our sextet version.
