JFK Remembered

CCCO on Main #4: JFK Remembered

Sunday, April 28th, 2024, 3 PM

2:15 PM pre-concert talk with Wendy Northcross, JFK Museum, Oliver Caplan, composer, and Matthew Scinto, conductor

Pilgrim Congregational Church

533 Rt. 28, Harwich Port, MA

Composer Oliver Caplan presents a world premiere on the legacy of John F. Kennedy, in a collaborative concert with the JFK Museum in Hyannis. The CCCO Wind Quintet performs Valerie Coleman’s Tzigane, as Dvorak’s American & Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings fills the program.

Valerie Coleman, a prominent American composer and flutist, draws upon her rich cultural heritage to create vibrant and evocative music. “Tzigane” takes its inspiration from the spirited rhythms and melodies of Romani music, known for its fiery passion and emotional intensity. Coleman seamlessly blends classical techniques with folk influences, weaving a tapestry of colorful textures and dynamic contrasts. As the music unfolds, listeners are transported to a world brimming with energy and vitality, where every note pulses with life.

Dvořák’s “American Quartet” stands as a testament to the composer’s deep appreciation for the cultural tapestry of the United States. Composed during his time in America, the work reflects Dvořák’s fascination with American folk melodies and rhythms. From the exuberant opening theme of the first movement to the soulful strains of the Lento, the quartet encapsulates the spirit of the American landscape. Dvořák’s masterful craftsmanship shines through in his seamless fusion of Bohemian lyricism with American vitality, creating a timeless masterpiece.

Samuel Barber’s “Adagio for Strings” stands as one of the most iconic and emotionally charged works in the orchestral repertoire. Originally conceived as the slow movement of his String Quartet No. 1, Barber’s arrangement for string orchestra has become synonymous with profound sorrow and contemplation. The hauntingly beautiful melody unfolds with aching simplicity, its poignant harmonies echoing through the depths of human experience. As the music swells and recedes, listeners are drawn into a transcendent realm of introspection and solace, where every note carries the weight of unspoken emotion.

Program:

Valerie Coleman – Tzigane

Samuel Barber – Adagio for Strings

Oliver Caplan – JFK Found

Antonin Dvorak – American String Quartet arr. for String Orchestra