Paragon Philharmonia

Miriam Burns, conductor
Nick Thompson, clarinet

• Barber ~ Adagio for Strings
• Hailstork ~ Sonata da Chiesa
• Copland ~ Clarinet Concerto 
  Nick Thompson, soloist
• Lisandro Adrover ~ Imágenes (World premiere)
• Ariel Pirotti ~ Inesita
• Copland ~ Three Latin American Sketches

Explore the vast and varied musical landscape of the Americas in this special program that spans from the reflective to the celebratory. The concert opens with Samuel Barber’s deeply moving Adagio for Strings, a piece that has touched the hearts of audiences around the world with its poignant and powerful expression. Next, experience Adolphus Hailstork’s Sonata da Chiesa, a work that masterfully blends classical and spiritual traditions, creating a profound and meditative atmosphere.

We’re thrilled to feature clarinetist Nick Thompson in Aaron Copland’s Clarinet Concerto. Originally commissioned by jazz legend Benny Goodman, this piece is a brilliant fusion of classical form and jazz idioms, showcasing Copland’s signature American sound.

Lisandro Adrover’s Imágenes receives its World Premiere, bringing the evocative sounds of Argentinian tango to our stage, while Ariel Pirotti’s Inesita offers a glimpse of Argentinian folk music for our audience to enjoy.

Finally, we’ll close with Copland’s lively Three Latin American Sketches, a colorful tribute to the rhythms and melodies of Latin America, full of the energy and spirit that define this vibrant region.