The Colorado Springs Philharmonic is celebrating its 90th anniversary by premiering six new pieces that should resonate with listeners in the Pikes Peak region.
The orchestra asked six composers to write their own pieces on the theme “America the Beautiful.” The song is a patriotic favorite, but it has particular resonance in Colorado Springs. Katharine Lee Bates wrote the words to “America the Beautiful” after seeing the view from atop Pikes Peak, which overlooks the city.
The new pieces explore the “America the Beautiful” theme in different ways. Some play with the song’s well-known melody. Others create a sense of sweeping landscapes or evoke the sound of American composers like George Gershwin or Aaron Copland.
The orchestra has performed five of the pieces so far this season:
- “For Spacious Skies” by Anthony DiLorenzo
- “Symphonic Overture: ‘America the Beautiful'" by Wang Jie
- “White Gleam of Our Bright Star" by Courtney Bryan
- “Halcyon Skies” by Daniel Kellogg
- "Enchanted Landscapes: A Symphonic Poem” by Ofer Ben-Amots
The sixth piece, “Zones” by Pierre Jalbert, premieres at the philharmonic’s concerts on May 20-21.
Josep Caballe Domenech, the music director of the Colorado Springs Philharmonic, spoke with Colorado Matters host Ryan Warner.
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