Americana: music by Copland, Beach and Bernstein

Autumn Song, Op. 56, No. 1  by Amy Marcy Beach (1867-1944)

Four Songs for Children, Op. 75  by Amy Marcy Beach

1. The Candy Lion
2. The Thanksgiving Fable
3. Dolladine
4. Prayer of a Tired Child

Sleep, Little Darling, Op. 29, No. 3 by Amy Marcy Beach

Breanna Hanson, soprano and Annie Center, piano

Appalachian Spring arranged for solo piano by Aaron Copland (1900-1990)

1. Very slowly. Introduction of the characters, one by one, in a suffused light.
2. 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.
3. Moderate/Moderato. Duo for the Bride and her Intended – scene of tenderness and passion.
4. Quite fast. The Revivalist and his flock. Folksy feeling – suggestions of square dances and country fiddlers.
5. Still faster/Subito Allegro. Solo dance of the Bride – presentiment of motherhood. Extremes of joy and fear and wonder.
6. Very slowly (as at first). Transition scene to music reminiscent of the introduction.
7. 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.”
8. 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.

Karin McCullough, piano

I Hate Music  by Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990)

1. My mother says that babies come in bottles
2. Jupiter has seven moons
3. I hate music
4. A big Indian and a little Indian
5. I just found out today that I’m a person too

Tiina Ritalahti, soprano and Annie Center, piano