The Aspen Experience: American music at Aspen

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.