Certain projects stand out for their profound cultural resonance and artistic ambition. "American Stories" is one such endeavor, brought to life by the multiple Grammy Award-winning Pacifica Quartet and superstar clarinetist Anthony McGill.
Created first as an album that was nominated for the 2024 Grammy Award for Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance, American Stories has evolved into a touring project that illuminates the experiences that have shaped America through the works of Richard Danielpour, James Lee III, Charles Ives, and Valerie Coleman.
Concert Program
Danielpour: Four Angels
Ives: Quartet No. 1, "From the Salvation Army"
James Lee III: Quintet for Clarinet & String Quartet
Valerie Coleman: Shotgun Houses
Anthony McGill describes "American Stories" as a project driven by a desire to “expand the capacity for art and music to change the world.” This sentiment is beautifully reflected in the album's repertoire, each piece offering a unique narrative that contributes to the rich tapestry of American history.
Richard Danielpour’s Four Angels pays tribute to the four young Black girls tragically killed in the 1963 Birmingham, Alabama, church bombing. It also honors civil rights advocates who stood resilient against racial violence. James Lee III’s Quintet for Clarinet & String Quartet delves into the Native American experience, weaving elements of Native music into its fabric. Ben Shirley’s High Sierra Sonata, which inspired the album's scenic cover art, evokes the majesty of California’s Eastern Sierra Nevada mountains and celebrates the camaraderie and perseverance of runners in the region’s annual high-altitude marathon. Finally, Valerie Coleman’s Shotgun Houses pays homage to Muhammad Ali and the West Louisville, Kentucky, neighborhood where both she and the legendary prizefighter were raised.
The collaboration between McGill and the Pacifica Quartet is not new; their previous work, Mozart & Brahms Clarinet Quintets, received widespread critical acclaim and remains a staple of classical radio programming. The New York Times praised their synergy: “The pure, gorgeous tone and expressive musicianship of the clarinetist Anthony McGill meshes with the talents of the excellent Pacifica Quartet for thoroughly enjoyable readings.”
We invite you to contact us now about finding a date to bring American Stories to your series in the 2025/26 season.