Americana

In the early 20th century, the cultural melting pot of the United States gave birth to four distinct American music forms: ragtime, bluegrass, musical theater, and jazz. The program opens with Jessie Montgomery’s Banner (based on our national anthem), followed by James Reese Europe’s Castle House Rag. Europe was a groundbreaking Black composer, orchestra founder and leader between 1910-19, and one of the first Black musicians to make it to the mainstream. Richmond, Kentucky-born guest artist Tessa Lark is featured in Michael Torke’s bluegrass concerto for violin and orchestra entitled Sky.

Ragtime music evolved out of the piano music played in bars, saloons, and brothels during the second half of the 19th century. Primarily known for his ragtime compositions, Scott Joplin also composed the opera Treemonisha from which you will hear the overture. We close the ninth Summermusik festival with Bernstein’s ballet Fancy Free with members of Cincinnati’s Revolution Dance Theatre.