Inspiring
Heights:
Joan Tower
by Peter Aaron
...I’m definitely a feminist, but I never thought
that [the series] would become such political pieces.”
Of course, given the current state of the world and America’s
place within it, many are likely to see “Made in America”—with
its episodes of crashing dissonance and the liberties it takes
with our unofficial national anthem—as yet another protest
piece. “The beauty of [“America the Beautiful”]
is undeniable and I loved working with it as a musical idea,”
writes Tower in the liner notes to Made in America. “Perhaps
it was my unconscious reaction to the challenge of how do
we keep America beautiful, dignified, and free. [In the piece,
the “America the Beautiful” motif] is challenged
by other more aggressive and dissonant ideas that keep interrupting,
interjecting, unsettling it, but “America the Beautiful”
keeps resurfacing in different guises, as if to say, “I’m
still here, ever changing, but holding my own.”
Much like the composer herself.
Tribute concerts in honor of Joan Tower’s 70th birthday
will take place on February 23 at 2pm at the Chelsea Museum,
22nd Street and 11th Avenue, New York, and on February 24
at 2pm at DIA:Beacon in Beacon. www.schirmer.com
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