Review: Memphis Symphony’s “America’s 250th Birthday Celebration”
Performers
Memphis Symphony Orchestra
Memphis Symphony Chorus (conducted by Joseph Powell)
Jeffrey Biegel, Piano
Robert Moody, Conductor
Event Details
Cannon Center for the Performing Arts
255 North Main Street, Memphis
Saturday, May 2, 2026, at 7:30 PM
Scheidt Family Performing Arts Center (University of Memphis)
3800 Central Avenue, Memphis
Sunday, May 3, 2026, 2:30 PM
Program
Ives: Variations on America
Peter Boyer: Rhapsody in Red, White, and Blue (featuring Jeffrey Biegel, Piano)
Intermission
Howard Hanson: The Star Spangled Banner
Howard Hanson: Song of Democracy
Arr. Roland Carter: Lift Every Voice and Sing
Leonard Bernstein: Suite from Candide
The Trip to Memphis
After I visited the Nashville Symphony on Saturday evening, I drove about 40 minutes and stayed overnight before driving to pick up my brother in Martin, Tennessee, on Sunday morning. We decided to 'grab a bite' at Red Lobster, which took way too long and put us way behind schedule, causing us to arrive at the venue only 10 minutes before the start time. Luckily, we weren't the only people getting there at the last minute. The weather was glorious all day, and the parking at the Scheidt Family PAC is free, easy, and close. We made it to our seats, and the concert began almost immediately. We drove back to Martin after the concert, so there isn't much more to add about the experience other than it is a nice hall, well-attended, and enthusiastically received.
A Personal Reflection on America
Sometimes it is good to be reminded of who we are as Americans. It is good to be honest about our collective history. Driving six hours across some of the most beautiful farmland and forests in the country, I was reminded how fortunate we are to live in such an environment.
This concert, celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the world-altering Declaration of Independence, also points toward the enduring vision of the Constitution—a nation built on the premise that people of different backgrounds, beliefs, and ways of life can coexist under laws that are equal to all.
And yet, I’ll be honest: I am not feeling very patriotic these days.
Our country feels deeply divided. It is difficult to reconcile what we are seeing with what we believe ourselves to be. I’ve felt this tension since returning to America in 2016, hoping each day that we might come back to a sense of unity and shared purpose.
Why This Concert Mattered
In spite of all that, I was deeply moved by this performance from the Memphis Symphony Orchestra.
The program celebrated America while acknowledging its complexities—its history, its struggles, and the hope that we might still return to our better selves. In the post-concert Q&A, conductor Robert Moody noted (paraphrased), “Some have questioned whether this concert is appropriate for the current state of our country, but now is the most important time to do it.”
I couldn’t agree more.
Emotional Impact
I’m not entirely sure what I was feeling throughout the evening.
Was it mourning for ideals that may be fading?
Was it a reflection on past injustices, particularly in a city so closely tied to the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.?
Or was it a deeper sense of patriotism—still present beneath everything else?
Perhaps it was all of these at once.
What I do know is that Bernstein’s Candide Suite, particularly “Make Our Garden Grow,” brought back powerful personal memories from my own performing career. That closing message framed the entire evening beautifully:
Life is not promised to be fair or easy—but we do our best to make something meaningful out of it.
Program Highlights
Ives: Variations on America
Charles Ives is always an experience. Composed when he was just 17 (originally for organ and later orchestrated by William Schuman), this piece captures Ives’s unconventional and imaginative voice.
Listening to Ives is less about understanding and more about experiencing. Variations on America unfolds like a musical journey—unexpected, playful, and at times chaotic, but always engaging.
Boyer: Rhapsody in Red, White, and Blue
Pianist Jeffrey Biegel delivered a commanding performance of Peter Boyer’s Rhapsody in Red, White, and Blue, a work inspired by the centennial of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue.
The piece is energetic, virtuosic, and highly accessible. Biegel and the orchestra connected seamlessly, bringing out the color and clarity of Boyer’s orchestration. It was a highlight of the evening and a joy to hear performed live.
Encore: Reflection of Equality
Before intermission, Biegel performed his own composition, Reflection of Equality: An Ode to Martin Luther King Jr.
He explained how the piece was constructed using the musical spelling of MLK, and subtly incorporated Amazing Grace. The result was thoughtful, restrained, and deeply meaningful—earning a strong and appreciative response from the audience.
Hanson: Song of Democracy
Following intermission, the Memphis Symphony Chorus joined the orchestra.
Hanson’s Song of Democracy benefited from the full, rich string sound and the committed presence of the chorus. The scale of the work matched the ambition of the program, and the ensemble rose to the occasion.
Lift Every Voice and Sing
Arranged by Roland Carter, this piece carries deep historical and cultural significance.
I’ll admit—I was not previously aware of its role as the “Black National Anthem.” Seeing members of the audience stand was initially surprising, but the program notes provided important context.
Moments like this are reminders that learning is ongoing. I appreciated the inclusion of this work and the opportunity to better understand its place in American history.
Bernstein: Suite from Candide
The concert concluded with Bernstein’s Candide Suite, from its famous overture to the powerful closing number, “Make Our Garden Grow.”
Bernstein’s brilliance as a composer and orchestrator was on full display. The final movement, in particular, provided a fitting emotional and philosophical conclusion to the evening.
The Conductor and Orchestra
Robert Moody led the orchestra with authority, clarity, and expressive depth. His connection with the audience—both in performance and in conversation—created a strong sense of rapport.
The orchestra itself impressed with both size and sensitivity. The balance across sections and the richness of the overall sound made for a compelling listening experience.
Final Thoughts
I left the concert both surprised and inspired.
The level of musicianship, the thoughtfulness of the programming, and the emotional resonance of the performance all made a lasting impression. Experiences like this remind us why live music matters—why it continues to bring people together in meaningful ways.
As long as we continue to support artists—and those who make their work possible—we will continue to benefit from these shared cultural experiences.
About Musiterania™
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By creating a central place where audiences can discover these performances, we aim to increase awareness, support attendance, and contribute to a more connected and inspired national cultural landscape.