American Dream: Tuesday, August 5
Conductor: Maestro Rune Bergmann
Aaron Copland: Fanfare for the Common Man
Aaron Copland: Quiet City
Sergei Rachmaninoff: Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini, Op. 43 with piano soloist Joyce Yang
George Gershwin: Cuban Overture
George Gershwin: An American in Paris
John Philip Sousa: Stars and Stripes Forever
The American Dream comes to life in a stirring evening of music that celebrates the heart, soul, and spirit of the nation. Featuring Grammy-nominated pianist Joyce Yang, this unforgettable program brings together the grand majesty of Copland, the virtuosic brilliance of Rachmaninoff, the rhythmic pulse of Gershwin, and the rousing patriotism of Sousa—all performed by the world-class Peninsula Music Festival Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Rune Bergmann.
The journey begins with the power and pride of The Star-Spangled Banner, setting the stage for Aaron Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man—a soaring tribute to everyday heroes, with bold brass and thunderous percussion filling the concert hall with grandeur. In stark yet stunning contrast, Copland’s Quiet City follows, casting a spell of introspection and mystery through its haunting trumpet and English horn melodies, evoking the hush of a cityscape at night.
The centerpiece of this remarkable program features Grammy-nominated pianist Joyce Yang performing Rachmaninoff’s breathtaking “Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini.” Described by the Los Angeles Times as playing with “polished, pearly evenness that was remarkable for its ease up and down the keyboard,” Yang brings her virtuosic technique, wondrous sense of color, and profound interpretive sensitivity to this beloved masterpiece. Since captivating the world by winning silver at the Van Cliburn Competition at just 19 years old, Yang has evolved into what the Neue Zürcher Zeitung calls an “astonishing artist,” collaborating with the world’s premier orchestras including the New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony, and Los Angeles Philharmonic.
The concert’s second half transports you through George Gershwin’s vibrant soundscapes, beginning with the Cuban Overture, a luscious and complex work showcasing the infectious rhythms and melodies of Cuban music. The journey continues with Gershwin’s iconic An American in Paris, bringing to life the sights and sounds of the City of Light through the eyes of an American traveler.
The evening culminates in a special treat as Festival Chairman David Keen takes the podium to lead the orchestra in John Philip Sousa’s rousing Stars and Stripes Forever, sending you home with patriotic melodies lingering in your ears and the spirit of America in your heart. From sweeping cinematic scores to dazzling piano fireworks and lively rhythms, American Dream is a concert that captures the essence of America’s musical legacy.
