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.
American music is full of fireworks — opportunities for composers and musicians to dazzle and astound. In the final concert of the “America at 250” Festival, show pieces by American 20th-century masters like George Antheil, Paul Schoenfield, and John Adams are woven together with familiar, lyrical numbers by Leonard Bernstein and George Gershwin. The concert concludes with Gershwin’s glorious Jazz concerto Rhapsody in Blue, in a playful and awe-inspiring arrangement for piano, four hands.
