American Journey

Between them, Aaron Copland and Samuel Barber defined the orchestral sound of America in the first half of the 20th century. From Copland’s simple sounds of the open prairie to the emotional depths of Samuel Barber’s heart-rending harmonies, this is music that could have come from no other time or place. But plenty of gems of American music remain undiscovered. Cayenna Ponchione-Bailey also brings us Florence Price’s astonishing Piano Concerto of 1934, played by Samantha Ege, and William Grant Still’s idyllic pastoral, Wood Notes.