Throughout history the tragedies and triumphs of war have inspired artists (poets, composers, painters, sculptors and writers) to create works of art to remind us of those who have served to make a safer, kinder, and unified world. The poem “O Captain, My Captain” by Walt Whitman, was written as a mourning poem, for our 16th President, Abraham Lincoln. “Cruel War” by Peter, Paul and Mary told us the stories of the Vietnam War. And the plethora of music from World War I and World War II that tell a story about the veterans who have served our country.
The Norman Philharmonic is highlighting Veterans Day with a concert to honor those who have served. The Veterans Day Celebration will take place on Sunday, November 9, 3:00 pm at McFarlin Memorial United Methodist Church in Norman, 419 S. University Blvd. This concert features one of Aaron Copland’s most popular pieces, Lincoln Portrait, written for orchestra and speaker, incorporating narration drawn from Abraham Lincoln’s speeches, including the Gettysburg Address. Listen to Lincoln’s own words that inspired Aaron Copland’s masterpiece:
“Fellow-citizens, we cannot escape history. We of this Congress and this administration, will be remembered in spite of ourselves.” December 1, 1862 Message to Congress Washington, D.C
“From these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” November 19, 1863, Gettysburg, PA
Commissioned shortly after the attack on Peal Harbor that marked the entrance of the United States into World War II, Lincoln Portrait was first performed in 1942 to celebrate democracy and serve as an enduring musical monument to Lincoln’s ideals. It has been performed to celebrate victories of democracy, console during difficult times, and inspire action when core principles have been threatened. It is a fitting choice to recognize 250 years of service by our armed forces and marks 80 years since the end of World War II. The piece has been performed on many significant occasions and with innumerable narrators, among them Walter Cronkite, James Earl Jones, Coretta Scott King and even Copland himself. Norman’s Mayor, Stephen Tyler Holman, will be the narrator for our concert.
Other selections on the program include Hymn to the Fallen by John Williams from the movie “Saving Private Ryan” and Symphony No. 100 (Military Symphony) by Joseph Haydn. During Haydn’s second visit to London (1794-95), Britain and France were at war. To arouse patriotism in London, Haydn referred to the Napoleonic war by using military themes played by instruments associated with war. Hymn by acclaimed Chickasaw classical composer, Jerod Impichchaachaaha' Tate. According to Tate, “Hymn, is a reflection of my Grandmother Foshi's story of our tribal members gathering for the last time, before the mass Removal, at the old Monroe Mission in Mississippi.”
Zielinski remarks, “In putting this program together, I found it an important reminder that the legacy of military service by our armed forces spans across such a broad spectrum of military branches and backgrounds including Native American code talkers, African Americans at war, Asian Pacific Americans, and Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP), to name a few.”
He continues, “It is also my hope we can start singing together again as a nation, so we have included a medley of patriotic songs including America, the Beautiful, God Bless America, Battle Hymn of the Republic and the Armed Forces Salute performed by the Norman Philharmonic, Norman Philharmonic Chorus and we hope the audience will want to sing along as well.”
Tickets are $18 for adults; $9 for students and can be purchased in advance online at normanphil.com or at the door on the day of the concert.