Fanfare for the Founders

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D.J. Cleavinger full profile / Solo Piano / 1 musician

Full program notes

"FANFARE FOR THE FOUNDERS"
As we prepare to celebrate 250 years of the United States' independence in 2026, I've cultivated an all-American program featuring works of Beach, Bernstein, Copland, Gershwin, Ives, MacDowell, Price, AND MORE! The specific selection of works is tailored to the atmosphere and context of each performance.

The primary conception for this project - the solo piano program - begins with Sergei Rachmaninoff's harmonization of The Star Spangled Banner, but unfolds into virtuosic transcriptions of Bernstein and Ives, romance of Edward MacDowell, and lyricism of Amy Beach. Perhaps the most unique work is the UNPUBLISHED Piano Sonata by Aaron Copland, acquired from the Library of Congress. The 'Allegro maestoso' opens with a bold theme in G major, and after many grand gestures, calms into a poignant second theme. The slow movement, marked 'Andante cantabile' shows layer after layer of Copland's young but mature style, and is followed by a raucous and quirky finale in G minor, never quite settling into one key, except, again, in his second theme, which he uses to develop a grand climax spanning nearly the whole keyboard.

It is my hope that this program will be a time of reflection for our nation at 250 years, considering her historical complexites, resilience against all odds, and hope for a brighter future.