This preview has been provided by Chamber Music Raleigh.
On Sunday, September 17, Chamber Music Raleigh kicks off its 76th season with a celebration of one of the shining stars of American music. Whether you are a fan of Bernstein’s West Side Story, the Young People’s concert broadcasts of the 1960s, the somber, monumental orchestral works or the hundreds of his recorded performances, you won’t want to miss yet another aspect of this beloved composer.
Pianist Laura Downes and the composer’s son, Alexander, are presenting a special overview of the Bernstein legacy with miniatures composed over the years for friends, family and colleagues. In addition, there will be plus nine works composed by his contemporaries specifically to honor the centennial of his birth. Alexander will provide commentary and anecdotes to contextualize the music. The Bernstein pieces represent the stylistic smorgasbord we have all come to expect of this eclectic composer. The works in his honor are all new and should be delightful surprises.
A bonus community concert by Downes and Bernstein at the North Carolina State Capitol will feature additional highlights of American music, including additional works by Bernstein.
