“Judging by the audience’s enthusiastic applause and lively exit conversations, it was clear that the poignantly thoughtful “Inspired by America,” by moving beyond greeting card sentimentality, more than hit the mark.”
Topeka Capital-Journal
They’ve captivated audiences around the world with their virtuoso performances. Now the critically acclaimed Cypress String Quartet fuses tradition with technology in Inspired by America, a spirited multimedia collaboration with best selling author Jacob Needleman and Emmy Award winning film producer Michael Schwarz. Supported by funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, and combining live music, original film and spoken word, Inspired by America creates an evocative, thought provoking portrait of the American spirit.
Dr. Needleman’s best selling book, The American Soul, forms the foundation for this 90 minute multimedia conversation. Beginning with the ideals of the Founding Fathers, the unique spirit of America is examined in light of culturally formative influences, including Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. The impacts of the destruction of Native American culture, slavery, and other transformational events are also explored in the context of the promise America has represented for waves of immigrants, and the world. Renowned documentary producer Ken Burns comments, “Needleman takes us on an amazing spiritual journey to the very heart of those who like to call themselves American.”
Inspired by America’s original film segments feature insightful commentary from Dr. Needleman set against a backdrop of American art, photographs, landscapes, film clips and other images and forms of music reflecting the depth and diversity of the American story, including excerpts from pieces by American jazz legend, Charles Mingus.
Augmented by professional sound and lighting, the Cypress provides the unifying force for the performance with some of the finest chamber music composed in the United States, with movements from pieces such as Barber’s Adagio for Strings, Dvorak’s American Quartet, Griffes’ Two Sketches on Native American Themes and Ives String Quartet #1. Selections from recent Cypress original commissions from noted contemporary American composers are also featured, including Grammy-nominated composers Benjamin Lees and Jennifer Higdon.
Innovative educational activities springing from the performance give people of all ages and backgrounds multiple opportunities to deepen and extend the impact of Inspired by America. An educational website has been developed with funding and assistance from the Lied Center of Kansas, using the Internet to disemminate an Inspired by America lesson plan to educators across the country.
Interdisciplinary residency and community outreach programs are being created in conjunction with various presenting organizations around the country, featuring university level coursework as well as visits to K-12 schools. These activities explore the rich interrelationship of great American chamber music to other disciplines, including history, political science, and literature.
The Cypress Performing Arts Association has put together a very talented and seasoned team of professionals to produce and promote Inspired by America, including:
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