Key Takeaways
| Season Premiere: The 23rd Frankly Music season debuts with an American-themed narrative concert. |
| Composer Spotlight: Victoria Bond premieres a new concerto focused on the private life of Thomas Jefferson. |
| Artistic Fusion: The program features a rare blend of narration and string instrumentation, drawing on Arcangelo Corelli’s La Folia. |
| Orchestral Choice: Frank Almond opts for the intimate 13-musician original score of Copland’s Appalachian Spring. |
Frankly Music Explores The Soul of a Nation in its highly anticipated 23rd season kickoff, bridging the divide between historical legacy and modern musical interpretation. You are invited to witness a dialogue that transcends generations, examining the complexities of the American identity through the lens of iconic historical figures and quintessential classical compositions.
As the series founder, Frank Almond takes the stage this September at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, serving as both soloist and conductor. This event marks a bold return for the chamber series, pulling talent directly from the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra roster to deliver an intimate, high-stakes performance that challenges the standard concert-hall experience.
Frankly Music Explores The Soul of a Nation with Victoria Bond
The centerpiece of this season opening is the Milwaukee premiere of a work composed by the celebrated Victoria Bond. Entitled “Soul of a Nation,” this concerto offers a deeply humanized portrait of Thomas Jefferson. Rather than focusing on political triumphs, Bond explores the former president’s twilight years, specifically his life at home as a violin player and reflective intellectual.
Bond’s composition utilizes narration to ground the music, drawing inspiration from Aaron Copland’s famous “Lincoln Portrait.” By weaving together quotes provided by historical hobbyist Dr. Myles Lee, the performance achieves a conversational tone. The music itself is a modern homage to a 1700 set of variations by Arcangelo Corelli, which Almond describes as tonally attractive and highly accessible for contemporary audiences.
This piece functions as a deliberate mirror, forcing the audience to grapple with the contradictions inherent in the American project. By pairing Jefferson’s own musical library choices with the sophisticated arrangements of Bond, the concert creates a multi-sensory environment. Under the baton of associate conductor Ryan Tani and narrated by Brian Mani, the program promises a narrative depth rarely seen in chamber music circuits.
The Legacy of Appalachian Spring
Beyond the new premiere, the evening highlights the pioneer American spirit through Aaron Copland’s Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece, Appalachian Spring. While many modern ensembles opt for the bloated full-orchestra arrangement, Almond has made a strategic artistic choice to utilize Copland’s original 1942 score, written for a tight ensemble of only 13 musicians.
- Original commission fee was a modest 500 dollars.
- Score utilizes deceptively simple harmonic language.
- The work conveys optimism and the pioneer spirit of the mid-20th century.
- The ensemble size requires high-level technical precision and transparency.
Concert Performance Metrics and Details
Understanding the logistical weight of such a production helps clarify why this event is considered a cultural milestone in the Milwaukee region. The following table breaks down the essential performance data for the upcoming September 28 event.
| Performance Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Event Venue | St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Milwaukee |
| Primary Conductor | Frank Almond / Ryan Tani |
| Featured Narrator | Brian Mani |
| Musical Foundation | Corelli Variations & Copland Original Score |
Expert Analysis and Historical Context
The decision to pair a modern concerto about Jefferson with Copland’s mid-century Americana reflects a broader trend in classical music programming: the turn toward “curated history.” By inviting the audience to hear the music that Jefferson actually played, Frankly Music shifts from a passive concert experience to an active, intellectual exploration of the American soul. It is a calculated move that ensures the organization maintains its reputation for high-level artistic risk-taking.
From a technical standpoint, performing Appalachian Spring with the original 13-piece orchestration exposes the ensemble to a level of scrutiny that larger, lush orchestras can often hide. In the chamber setting of an Episcopal church, every note must be played with absolute clarity. This transparency serves the music well, effectively peeling back the layers of romanticism often applied to Copland’s work to reveal its true, honest core.
People Also Ask
What is the focus of the Frankly Music season kickoff?
The season opens with “Soul of a Nation: An American Portrait,” a concert featuring the Milwaukee premiere of Victoria Bond’s concerto about Thomas Jefferson and Aaron Copland’s original score for Appalachian Spring.
Why is Frank Almond using the original Appalachian Spring score?
Almond utilizes the original 13-musician score to maintain the piece’s transparency, honesty, and challenging harmonic language, which he believes is lost in larger, later orchestrations.
Who is performing in the Frankly Music 23rd season premiere?
The performers include series founder Frank Almond, associate conductor Ryan Tani, and veteran actor Brian Mani, alongside a group of string and woodwind players from the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.
When and where is the concert taking place?
The performance is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 28, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church located at 914 E. Knapp St. in Milwaukee.
Final Thoughts on the Series
As the series enters its 23rd year, it continues to prove that chamber music remains a vital vehicle for storytelling. By exploring the “Soul of a Nation” through this unique musical dialogue, the organization manages to stay relevant in a landscape that often prioritizes viral trends over deep, localized engagement. Whether you are a fan of classical history or a devotee of modern chamber performances, the depth of this program offers something truly substantial.
Learn more about the artistic direction of this series at Bright Celebrity news insights. You can also explore exclusive concert coverage or check up-to-date regional music events to stay informed on the latest cultural happenings in Milwaukee and beyond. As Frankly Music Explores The Soul of a Nation, it invites every attendee to participate in an honest conversation about who we are and where we are heading as a society.
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