STÉPHANE DENÈVE conducts
JEANINE DE BIQUE soprano

CONNESSON “Celephais” from Cities of Lovecraft
BARBER Knoxville: Summer of 1915
RACHMANINOFF Symphonic Dances

America from three distinct viewpoints is on display in this stirring concert. The fantasy world of horror writer H.P. Lovecraft inspired Connesson’s “Celephais.” James Agee’s poem depicting a summer evening in a sleepy southern town personally resonated with Barber — the combination of Agee’s words and Barber’s music is pure magic. Rachmaninoff blends his love of his new American home with nostalgia for his native Russia in his Symphonic Dances.

The three pieces come together to emulate America’s melting pot origins, with lush and energetic works starting off the program and leading to Rachmaninoff’s last major composition, the Symphonic Dances. Traverse the breadth and depth of each experience in this deeply moving program.