American Scenes Featuring Jiana Peng and Konrad Kowal

Award-winning pianist Jiana Peng and violinist Konrad Kowal present American Scenes, a special program celebrating the richness and diversity of America’s musical identity through the works of composers who experienced and expressed America in different ways. Amy Beach’s Romance reflects a lyrical Romanticism rooted in the European tradition, while Aaron Copland’s Violin Sonata and Samuel Barber's Excursions draw on distinctly American landscape and folk traditions. Maurice Ravel’s Violin Sonata No. 2 offers an international perspective, exploring the influence of American culture through jazz. The program also celebrates Akron composer Pat Pace who brings classical piano into dialogue with jazz and improvisation. Finally, George Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess reveals the profound role of jazz, blues, and African American musical traditions in shaping the American sound. Presented in celebration of America 250, American Scenes invites audiences to explore America not as a single musical identity, but as a tapestry of influences, traditions, and voices.

Program:

Aaron Copland

Sonata for Violin and Piano