‘Forging American Musical Identity’ – American Symphony Orchestra

By Alix Cohen

“No one could have predicted this is an ironic moment for traditional patriotism…I worry about the direction of the country,” Leon Botstein notes beginning his brief pre-concert lecture. Music Director and principal conductor of ASO since 1992, the accomplished artist is articulate, illuminating and occasionally droll. His program notes additionally make scholarship accessible.

On the occasion of America’s 250th anniversary, the orchestra celebrates America’s musical identity in the 19th century with a diverse program of seldom performed scores.

Dudley Buck (1839-1909) is especially known for organ and choral works. “Festival Overture on The Star Spangled Banner” was composed for a July 4th concert in 1879, before it was adopted as our national anthem (1931.) Frances Scott Key’s 1814 song is familiar but transformed.

It arrives celebratory, light-not flimsy, with Key’s music woven into that by Buck. Brass and strings can be distinctively heard as overlapping waves- now translucent, now opaque. The overture is proud, thrilling, and currently rather sad.

Harry T. Burleigh (1866-1949) was a trailblazing African American composer, arranger and baritone known for elevating spirituals into concert art songs. He was a protégé of Dvorak. Mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges performs a restrained “Go Down Moses”, the Christmas song, “Behold That Star” lead by strings with brass as ballast, and a silken “Swing Low Sweet Chariot” whose arrangement is tender and ethereal, if not tailored to the vocalist’s range.

Richard Wagner (1813-1883) was a German composer and conductor best known for transforming opera into theatrical dramas. Anti-Semitic beliefs tainted his reputation. The composer’s fascination with America lead to a commission for “American Centennial March” (Grober Festmarsch), a piece Botstein comments is “not really as bad as people say it is.”

Met with mixed reviews, Wagner privately dismissed the piece, admitting he composed it for the $5000 fee.

To my mind it begins a military procession with rich, full, assured sound, then successively conjures a formal reception, diplomatic confrontation, wiser voices prevailing, and hosanna- no war. I find it engaging.

Part two of the concert offers Symphony no 5 “Niagara” by successful violinist, pianist, composer, and conductor, George Frederick Bristow (1825-1898). The work was inspired by Charles Walker Lord’s nostalgic verses: “Niagara! O’erwelmed with awe and wonder/Thee I behold. Thy voice in tones of thunder…”

“There were no recordings at the time…Repetitions were essential to make an impression.” (Botstein)
Douglas W. Shadle (The New York Times) wrote, “Capturing a growing sense of cultural independence, he (Bristow) told American stories with musical sounds an imagery familiar to ordinary people.”

The four part symphony featured soprano- Anna Thompson, mezzo-soprano- J’Nai Bridges, tenor- Freddie Ballentine,
bass-Alan Williams (Thompson and Ballentine were stunning) and The Bard Festival Chorale, James Bagwell- Director.

“”Niagara” is evocative but lengthy. One gets a sense of the country’s sweeping landscape, but not until its Maestoso does it seem to embody the grandeur of the falls. “Ye rapids, sparking, foaming, dashing wildly..”

Europe’s cultural heritage extended powerful influence over American music, but immigrants developed their own patriotic sensibilities and pride. These included a distinct commitment to democratic values and practices eloquently articulated by Abraham Lincoln as “of the people, by the people, for the people.” (excerpted from Leon Botstein’s introduction)

The phrase should be recalled more often as we celebrate that which now is daily abused.

Orchestra sound is superb.

Performance Photos by Matt Dine
All composer photos Public Domain

Forging American Musical Identity
American Symphony Orchestra, Leon Botstein- Conductor
Bard Festival Chorale, James Bagwell- Director
Carnegie Hall 881 Seventh Ave at 57th
https://www.carnegiehall.org/?sourceCode=55055&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=1044383712&gclid=Cj0KCQiAkPzLBhD4ARIsAGfah8giT7bjmF99vXr5wCIM68ABkimE3xDKii_-p9N-6l-IoML_7CQKSqcaAoUeEALw_wcB