On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress declared independence from the British Empire, marking the founding of the United States of America. To celebrate the
250th anniversary of that historic event, Four Arts Artistic Advisor Wu Han has curated a bespoke festival of American chamber music for the audience in Palm Beach. Across three concerts, you will hear everything from folk songs first published in the 19th century to masterpieces by composers of the 20th century to the incomparable excitement of American movie music.
Two great American composers and one composer greatly inspired by America are on the bill for the second program. First, Souvenirs written by a homesick Samuel Barber gives us a portrait of New York night life. Path-breaking Boston-based composer Amy Beach’s Piano Quintet puts an American spin on Romantic music. And Czech composer Antonín Dvořák draws on American musical culture in his lush “American” String Quintet, which he wrote on a visit to Spillville, Iowa.
Generously supported by the Chisholm Foundation
