David M. Rubenstein Chairman Michael M. Kaiser President Darrell M. Ayers Vice President, Education
Photo by Scott Suchman
Christoph Eschenbach Music Director National Symphony Orchestra
MEET CHRISTOPH ESCHENBACH He’s the music director leading the NSO, and you can call him “maestro” (pronounced MY-stroh). That’s because he’s mastered conducting orchestras and playing the piano all over the world. He believes music is one of the strongest forces known to man, and he’s also committed to fostering young musicians. Washingtonian magazine calls him “one of the most exciting classical conductors of the day”.
ABOUT THE NSO
The NSO Music Director Chair is generously endowed by Roger and Vicki Sant.
Discussion/Demonstration Open Rehearsal
PERFORMANCE GUIDE
Before the open rehearsal of this new work, you’ll hear how the music, images, sounds, and narration were created to understand this important part of our nation’s history. Once the music starts, the conductor may stop the orchestra and repeat passages or pieces, and the orchestra may not even rehearse the entire program.
NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Cuesheet
Before the Music Starts
AN D
CHRISTOPH ESCHENBACH, CONDUCTOR featuring the world premiere of
george WASHINGTON composed by ROGER REYNOLDS OCTOBER 3, 2013
The NSO Blue Series is sponsored by United Technologies Corporation.
www.kennedy-center.org/artsedge
Cuesheets are produced by ARTSEDGE, an education program of the Kennedy Center. Learn more about education at the Kennedy Center at www.kennedy-center.org/education The contents of this Cuesheet have been developed
The NSO numbers 96 musicians and is performing its 83rd season. It has performed at the Kennedy Center every year since the venue opened in 1971, and in 1986 became formally affiliated with the Kennedy Center.
under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education and do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education. You should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. © 2013 The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
David and Alice Rubenstein are the Presenting Underwriters of the NSO.
The Concert Program
LISTEN FOR… «groups « or clusters of notes that create a general atmosphere «harsh « or ominous-sounding brass fanfares «keyboard « instruments that evoke popular music of the colonial period
To make sure Washington’s own passionate and revolutionary voice was accurately represented, Reynolds decided to let the iconic leader speak for himself. george WASHINGTON makes use of dramatic readings from the president’s letters, diaries, and other written reflections. Three narrators— symbolizing Washington as a spirited teenager, a middle-aged activist, and a retiring president—address the audience in the president’s own words, tackling a variety of subjects from government to personal philosophy to affairs of the heart.
Roger Reynolds’s compositions often examine how specific sounds behave in specific spaces, and george WASHINGTON is no exception. The composer and his collaborators have transformed several household noises from this centuriesold estate into computerized sounds. In addition, three paneled screens appear on stage behind the orchestra, offering images of various sizes and textures culled from Mount Vernon’s majestic architecture and sweeping views. These unique “windows” were inspired by the cupola (a narrow tower) Washington had installed on top of his home.
LISTEN FOR…
LISTEN AND WATCH FOR…
«excerpts « from Washington’s loving letters to his wife Martha
«drops « of water and pieces of machinery creating ear-pounding rhythmic passages
«moments « when the narrators interrupt each other or relay words back and forth
«the « way in which the Mount Vernon soundscape complements Washington’s words
Music meets history as state-of-the-art technology, beautiful imagery, surroundsound, spoken words, and orchestral music blend together in george WASHINGTON. The NSO, three narrator actors, a patchwork quilt of images, and a series of digital sounds guide audiences on a journey through the many phases of George Washington’s life while exploring the terrain of the president’s Mount Vernon estate in Virginia.
A project years in the making, george WASHINGTON required Reynolds and his collaborators to take repeated trips to Mount Vernon, Washington’s celebrated home. There, they recorded sights and sounds from the house and its surrounding landscape. The result is a colorful “soundscape” that provides an unusual gateway into Washington’s personal life.
EXPLORING MOUNT VERNON
«instances « where Washington’s words signal a change in the music
«panoramic « views of the Potomac River
music by Roger Reynolds with Ross Karre (video), Jaime Oliver (electronics), Josef Kucera (sound engineering)
Although he studied physics in college and began his professional life as an engineer, Roger Reynolds was inspired to pursue classical composition thanks to his early love of piano music.
WASHINGTON’S WORDS
george WASHINGTON
COMPOSING THE LIFE OF A PRESIDENT
Music Director Christoph Eschenbach leads the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) in a rehearsal* of george WASHINGTON, Roger Reynolds’ multimedia composition that explores the legendary and varied career of our first president and provides a unique glimpse into the private world of America’s famous founding father.
THINK ABOUT…
ING TO N
’S M OUN TV
ERNO N
* During the rehearsal, you may not hear the full program performed; see page 4 for more about the rehearsal.
MO
UN TV
ERNO N.
A EW RG GEO
SH
Roger Reynolds believes music isn’t just heard with the ears, but is also felt emotionally and physically. What feelings do you have while experiencing george WASHINGTON?
«« how the screens show one scene from many angles
UIS MARQ GEORGE WASHINGTON AND
YE AFA DE L
TT E
AT
The Concert Program
LISTEN FOR… «groups « or clusters of notes that create a general atmosphere «harsh « or ominous-sounding brass fanfares «keyboard « instruments that evoke popular music of the colonial period
To make sure Washington’s own passionate and revolutionary voice was accurately represented, Reynolds decided to let the iconic leader speak for himself. george WASHINGTON makes use of dramatic readings from the president’s letters, diaries, and other written reflections. Three narrators— symbolizing Washington as a spirited teenager, a middle-aged activist, and a retiring president—address the audience in the president’s own words, tackling a variety of subjects from government to personal philosophy to affairs of the heart.
Roger Reynolds’s compositions often examine how specific sounds behave in specific spaces, and george WASHINGTON is no exception. The composer and his collaborators have transformed several household noises from this centuriesold estate into computerized sounds. In addition, three paneled screens appear on stage behind the orchestra, offering images of various sizes and textures culled from Mount Vernon’s majestic architecture and sweeping views. These unique “windows” were inspired by the cupola (a narrow tower) Washington had installed on top of his home.
LISTEN FOR…
LISTEN AND WATCH FOR…
«excerpts « from Washington’s loving letters to his wife Martha
«drops « of water and pieces of machinery creating ear-pounding rhythmic passages
«moments « when the narrators interrupt each other or relay words back and forth
«the « way in which the Mount Vernon soundscape complements Washington’s words
Music meets history as state-of-the-art technology, beautiful imagery, surroundsound, spoken words, and orchestral music blend together in george WASHINGTON. The NSO, three narrator actors, a patchwork quilt of images, and a series of digital sounds guide audiences on a journey through the many phases of George Washington’s life while exploring the terrain of the president’s Mount Vernon estate in Virginia.
A project years in the making, george WASHINGTON required Reynolds and his collaborators to take repeated trips to Mount Vernon, Washington’s celebrated home. There, they recorded sights and sounds from the house and its surrounding landscape. The result is a colorful “soundscape” that provides an unusual gateway into Washington’s personal life.
EXPLORING MOUNT VERNON
«instances « where Washington’s words signal a change in the music
«panoramic « views of the Potomac River
music by Roger Reynolds with Ross Karre (video), Jaime Oliver (electronics), Josef Kucera (sound engineering)
Although he studied physics in college and began his professional life as an engineer, Roger Reynolds was inspired to pursue classical composition thanks to his early love of piano music.
WASHINGTON’S WORDS
george WASHINGTON
COMPOSING THE LIFE OF A PRESIDENT
Music Director Christoph Eschenbach leads the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) in a rehearsal* of george WASHINGTON, Roger Reynolds’ multimedia composition that explores the legendary and varied career of our first president and provides a unique glimpse into the private world of America’s famous founding father.
THINK ABOUT…
ING TO N
’S M OUN TV
ERNO N
* During the rehearsal, you may not hear the full program performed; see page 4 for more about the rehearsal.
MO
UN TV
ERNO N.
A EW RG GEO
SH
Roger Reynolds believes music isn’t just heard with the ears, but is also felt emotionally and physically. What feelings do you have while experiencing george WASHINGTON?
«« how the screens show one scene from many angles
UIS MARQ GEORGE WASHINGTON AND
YE AFA DE L
TT E
AT
David M. Rubenstein Chairman Michael M. Kaiser President Darrell M. Ayers Vice President, Education
Photo by Scott Suchman
Christoph Eschenbach Music Director National Symphony Orchestra
MEET CHRISTOPH ESCHENBACH He’s the music director leading the NSO, and you can call him “maestro” (pronounced MY-stroh). That’s because he’s mastered conducting orchestras and playing the piano all over the world. He believes music is one of the strongest forces known to man, and he’s also committed to fostering young musicians. Washingtonian magazine calls him “one of the most exciting classical conductors of the day”.
ABOUT THE NSO
The NSO Music Director Chair is generously endowed by Roger and Vicki Sant.
Discussion/Demonstration Open Rehearsal
PERFORMANCE GUIDE
Before the open rehearsal of this new work, you’ll hear how the music, images, sounds, and narration were created to understand this important part of our nation’s history. Once the music starts, the conductor may stop the orchestra and repeat passages or pieces, and the orchestra may not even rehearse the entire program.
NATIONAL SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Cuesheet
Before the Music Starts
AN D
CHRISTOPH ESCHENBACH, CONDUCTOR featuring the world premiere of
george WASHINGTON composed by ROGER REYNOLDS OCTOBER 3, 2013
The NSO Blue Series is sponsored by United Technologies Corporation.
www.kennedy-center.org/artsedge
Cuesheets are produced by ARTSEDGE, an education program of the Kennedy Center. Learn more about education at the Kennedy Center at www.kennedy-center.org/education The contents of this Cuesheet have been developed
The NSO numbers 96 musicians and is performing its 83rd season. It has performed at the Kennedy Center every year since the venue opened in 1971, and in 1986 became formally affiliated with the Kennedy Center.
under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education and do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education. You should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government. © 2013 The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
David and Alice Rubenstein are the Presenting Underwriters of the NSO.