Odyssey of Dissent
Music, Protest, and Social Commentary
Odyssey of Dissent explores the unique relationship between protest and classical music, examining how composers have responded to political and social upheaval through their music.
Spanning works from the Classical era to the twentieth century, the program invites audiences to encounter pivotal moments in history through the voices of the composers who experienced them.
The Music
Polonaise Fantasy,
Op. 61
Chopin transforms the traditional Polish dance into a deeply personal expression of national identity and longing, evoking the cultural memory of a nation deprived of its independence.
Winnsboro
Cotton Mill Blues
Rzewski's Winnsboro Cotton Mill Blues gives voice to the struggles of working people.
Fantasy on Themes from Mozart's Marriage of Figaro
The Marriage of Figaro and its subversive themes of class and privilege inspired Liszt's transformative fantasy.
Fantasy Negre,
No. 4
Florence Price's music speaks to the experience of an African-American woman composing within a complex tradition.
Variations and Fugue in E flat Major, Op. 35, "Eroica:
Beethoven's "Eroica" Variations reflect the revolutionary spirit and ideals that shaped his generation.
A Moment In Time
Originally conceived as a live recital program, Odyssey of Dissent took on new possibilities when the pandemic brought live performance to a halt. Selections from the program were subsequently presented through Rallentando, allowing the project to reach audiences in a new format during an extraordinary period for musicians and audiences alike.
What began as a concert program became an opportunity to explore new ways of presenting music and connecting it with broader ideas.
Selected Performances
2020-2021
2021
2021
2021
2021
2021
Rallentando — Online recital series
First Sundays Concert Series — Bainbridge Island, WA
Hempy Keyboard Series — Saugatuck, MI
Classically Alive — Colorado Springs, CO
Silk Purse Arts Center Series — Vancouver, Canada
Muzewest Concert Series — Vancouver, Canada