A string quartet of American Symphony Orchestra musicians performs works by Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson, William Grant Still, and Antonín Dvořák, each reflecting a unique perspective on the American musical experience. Perkinson’s String Quartet No. 1 blends classical form with elements of jazz—a truly American genre—reflecting the vibrancy and depth of Black American music. Still’s Lyric Quartette draws on folk idioms and lyrical expression to evoke scenes of American life, rooted in his vision of a distinctly American classical voice.

Dvořák’s “American” String Quartet, written during his time in the United States in 1893, channels the rhythms and spirit of American folk music, shaped by his encounters with the country’s diverse musical traditions. Together, these works explore the evolving identity of American music at the crossroads of culture, history, and innovation.

Seating is limited and on a first-come, first served basis. Please plan to arrive early.

This program has been generously sponsored by Cynthia Newby and The Cheryl Kupper Trust, Larry Apolzon, and Jim Stanton