Prizing the Pulitzer: Appalachian Spring - Music from Copland House July 31, 2011

Significant, controversial, prestigious, irrelevant... You decide. The Pulitzer Prize for Music has been recognizing important contributions to American music since the 1940’s but not without controversy. Music from Copland House brings two wonderfully crafted programs (see July 22) of works by composers who won the prize or by overlooked finalists. Razor-sharp performances and fascinating panel discussions allow us to get to the bottom of all of the fuss.

Music From Copland House: Paul Lustig Dunkel, flute; Derek Bermel, clarinet; Wilhelmina Smith, cello; Michael Boriskin, piano. Guest Artists: Peter Kolkay, bassoon; Harumi Rhodes, Tim Fain, Susie Park, Ayano Ninomiya, violins; Leslie Tomkins, Kathryn Lockwood, violas; Joshua Roman, cello; Robert Black, double bass; Michael Barrett, conductor.

Pre-concert panel discussion begins one hour before the concert in the Venetian Theater.

Program: Aaron Copland: Appalachian Spring; Samuel Barber: String Quartet (2nd mvt.; source of Adagio for Strings); Charles Ives: Tone Roads No. 1; Lukas Foss: Tashi for Clarinet, Piano, and String Quartet (excerpt): Gian Carlo Menotti: Suite for Two Cellos and Piano (excerpt); Ernst Toch: Geographical Fugue for Speaking Chorus; Walter Piston: Quintet for Flute and String Quartet (excerpt).

Introduce your family to Caramoor. Purchase Concert Al Fresco tickets ($10) and enjoy the sounds of the concert from the Picnic Lawns.