American Ideals: Randall Thompson, Gweneth Walker, and other pieces

Seeking inspiration in turbulent times? Our final concert features stirring works rooted in our deepest national values. Randall Thompson’s Testament of Freedom, composed for Thomas Jefferson’s 200th birthday, uses texts from Jefferson’s own writings. We also showcase two works by beloved American composer Gwyneth Walker. The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere, written to celebrate the 300th anniversary of Lexington, Massachusetts, provides a lively new setting of the poem “Paul Revere’s Ride” by Longfellow, while Our Dream of Freedom conveys the importance (and vulnerability) of freedom. Lush harmonic works by Stephen Paulus and Dan Forrest complete an evening of uplifting Americana.