The season finale of Sinfonia da Camera's 42nd season celebrates the richness of American music-from pastoral landscapes to vibrant city streets. Aaron Copland's Appalachian Spring Suite opens the program with a vivid portrait of rural life, culminating in the beloved Shaker tune "Simple Gifts," a lasting symbol of American hope and simplicity. Acclaimed American composer Lowell Liebermann visits Urbana for the performance of his new Concerto for Alto Saxophone, featuring virtuoso Kenneth Tse. The work explores the saxophone's lyrical warmth and dazzling technique, framed by Liebermann's colorful orchestration. Don Gillis' Symphony No. 5½, subtitled "A Symphony for Fun," brings humor and charm to the concert. Its four movements, including the whimsically titled "Scherzophrenia," blend classical form with playful, jazz-inflected language.
The evening concludes with George Gershwin's An American in Paris,-an exuberant and joyful finale to a season of musical discovery.