• Philip Glass
  • Piano Concerto No. 2 (after Lewis and Clark) (2004)

  • Dunvagen Music Publishers Inc (World)

Commissioned by the Nebraska Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Commission, Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska, and the Lied Center for Performing Arts.

  • 1111/2100/perc/str
  • piano
  • 34 min
    • 15th March 2025, Marion Oliver McCaw Hall, Seattle, WA, United States of America
    • 16th March 2025, Marion Oliver McCaw Hall, Seattle, WA, United States of America
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Media

Piano Concerto No. 2, After Lewis and Clark: Movement I - The Vision
Piano Concerto No. 2, After Lewis and Clark: Movement II - Sacagawea
Piano Concerto No. 2, After Lewis and Clark: Movement III - The Land

Scores

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Reviews

The thrill of discovery. The heroism of a Shoshone woman. The greatness of a rich land and its native
peoples. These elements of the Lewis and Clark journey were captured in the form of a piano concerto by Philip Glass. Titled AFTER LEWIS AND CLARK, the new concerto, which is divided into three movements, features many elements that have defined the Glassian sound,
repetition, irregular meters and minimalism.

The first movement, titled “The Vision,” conveys the determination of the explorers as they embarked on the
journey. Irregular meters are at the heart of this movement and comprise the core of its driving intensity. The slower second movement, “Sacagawea,”
based on the Shoshone Indian who became Lewis and Clark’s companion, has arguably the most mesmerizing musical themes of the piece. The slow, brooding duet
between the American Indian flute and the piano features a traditional Shoshone musical theme as well
as a middle section that is quicker and delightfully disjointed. “The Land” explored by Lewis and Clark is the theme of the final movement. The intensely busy movement incorporates a canon that features the overlapping of a theme and six variations. Thistechnique not only gives the movement a number of
layers and voices, but lays the ground for an interesting dynamic between the piano and the orchestra. The piece develops into a fury of sound at the end that leads to an exhilarating climax, revealing to the listener that the land has finally been conquered.
Ashley Hassebroek, Omaha World-Herald Bureau
19th September 2004

Discography

The Concerto Project Vol II

The Concerto Project Vol II
  • Label
    Orange Mountain Music
  • Catalogue Number
    OMM0030
  • Conductor
    Ralf Gothóni
  • Ensemble
    Northwest Chamber Orchestra
  • Soloist
    Paul Barnes (piano), R.Carlos Nakai (Native American Flute), Jillon Stoppels Dupree (harpsichord)