CLASSICS: FESTIVAL OF AMERICAN MUSIC 1- JOURNEYS OF FAITH

Our Festival this year carries the title “Journeys of Faith”. Through a series of panel discussions pairing Jewish and Black pastors and clergy, our Festival sponsors and partners will seek to connect those Louisvillian communities through discussions of faith and life experience. Their goal is to enable a better understanding of one another and achieve connection through a renewed foundation of relationship. Musically the LO will explore the music of Jewish composers Leonard Bernstein and Olga Neuwirth and an important work by Joel Thompson based on the words of African-American writer James Baldwin. American music will welcome two brand new compositions to its ranks from our Creators Corps members, TJ Cole and Tyler Taylor.

Creators Corps member TJ Cole unveils their commissioned composition, a concerto for synthesizer and orchestra inspired by nature in the Louisville environs called Phenomenal of the Earth. The composer will also be soloist in this world premiere.

Creating music to honor her family, composer Olga Neuwirth (winner of the 2022 Grawemeyer Award) was inspired by the multi-ethnic origins of her grandfather to create a musical river of sound. Her “Masaot” – Hebrew for “journey” — traces his life, and explores her own identity, through time and multiple homelands while maintaining a heart of faith.

Leonard Bernstein’s lifelong battle with faith took a devastating blow with the assassination of John F. Kennedy. His Kaddish Symphony is dedicated to the memory of JFK, his friend, and President. Sixty years later, the work’s exploration of faith and the elusive concept of peace all speak as loudly today as ever. In this month where we recognize Women’s History, bringing forward “Woman” as the narrator who challenges God seems particularly poignant. Bernstein’s Kaddish Symphony continues to be a prayer for mankind.

Concert Programs:
TJ COLE:  Phenomenal of the Earth  (World premiere piece commissioned from the Louisville Orchestra Creators Corps)
Olga NEUWIRTH:  Masaot/Clocks Without Hands
Leonard BERNSTEIN:  Symphony No. 3, “Kaddish”

Teddy Abrams, conductor
Kent Hatteberg, choir director
TJ Cole, Synthesizer
Amanda Majeski, soprano
Louisville Chamber Choir

BROWN-FORMAN FOUNDATION CLASSICS SERIES
FESTIVAL OF AMERICAN MUSIC SPONSORED BY THE JEWISH HERITAGE FUND FOR EXCELLENCE