The Smithsonian American Art Museum’s award-winning contemporary music ensemble-in-residence, 21st Century Consort, led by artistic director Christopher Kendall, and featuring chamber musicians Elisabeth Adkins, Paul Cigan, Lisa Emenheiser, Abigail Evans, Laurel Olssen, Sara Stern, Rachel Young with guest vocalists Lucy Shelton, William Sharp, Peter Becker, Deanne Meek and others, presents A Season of High Drama inspired by artworks from the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s exhibitions and permanent collection.
FEATURED CONCERT
Election Special: Music for Uncivil Discourse
Sat., Oct. 27, 2012
In honor of the November elections, the Consort circles the American democratic process with Fred Rzewski’s paean to Latin liberty in The People United Will Never be Defeated, Jon Deak’s setting of Orwell in Greetings from 1984, and, to remind us of our own revolution, Peter Maxwell Davies’s dramatic portrait of George III, Eight Songs for a Mad King.
Frederick Rzewski –The People United Will Never Be Defeated
Jon Deak – Greetings from 1984
Peter Maxwell Davies – Eight Songs for a Mad King
Program subject to change.
OTHER INFORMATION
The Smithsonian American Art Museum tells the story of America through the visual arts and encompasses more than three centuries of American artistic achievement that parallels the nation’s cultural development. The Museum is honored to host the 21st Century Consort as artists-in-residence. For more information on the museum and its Renwick Gallery, please visit our website at AmericanArt.si.edu.
The 21st Century Consort has presented outstanding artists in concert since its 1975 debut concert in the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Lincoln Gallery. For thirty-five seasons, the Consort has offered engaging and challenging performances and recordings of contemporary American music especially for DC audiences. Visit 21stcenturyconsort.com for more information.
