The Aspen Experience: American music at Aspen
Upholding a great national tradition — With Kelley O'Connor, Robert Spano, Christopher Theofanidis, Alan Fletcher, and Joseph Pfender
Program notes
The musical programming at the Aspen Music Festival and School is boundless, spanning every musical era and crossing all international borders — but as part of its inclusive and global vision, the festival has been a longtime champion of American music. Learn about Aspen's commitment to commissioning new works and upholding the heritage of a vital national tradition in interviews with AMFS president Alan Fletcher, composition program director Christopher Theofanidis, and music director Robert Spano — all three active composers themselves! — as well as program editor and musicologist Joseph Pfender. Maestro Spano and Grammy-winning mezzo-soprano Kelley O'Connor also speak about Peter Lieberson's Neruda Songs, a contemporary American classic with a deeply moving backstory that we are honored to bring you as part of our coverage of Aspen's 75th anniversary season.