American Gothic (composition)

American Gothic is an orchestral composition by the American composer Michael Daugherty.[1] The approximately 20-minute work is composed in three movements inspired by the paintings of the Iowan artist Grant Wood (1891-1942).[2] Daugherty is a native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa,[3] where the piece premiered on May 4, 2013, at Cedar Rapids' Paramount Theatre, with Timothy Hankewich, conductor.[4]

Instrumentation
January (1939) Grant Wood, setting of Michael Daugherty's 2nd movement, "Winter Dreams"

Piccolo, 2 flutes, 2 oboes, English horn, 2 clarinets, bass clarinet, 2 bassoons, contrabassoon, 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, percussion (3 players), harp, piano, and strings.[5]

Movements
  1. On a Roll
  2. Winter Dreams
  3. Pitchfork

Reception

The world premiere of American Gothic received a strongly favorable review, noting the 1,000+ listeners in attendance and the enthusiastic reception of Daugherty's groundbreaking foray into orchestral bluegrass in the third movement.[6]

Discography
  • Michael Daugherty -- American Gothic (2014)[7]

Notes
  1. "Michael Daugherty Wins Best Contemporary Classical Composition". Grammy.com. The Recording Academy. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  2. Album notes. Orchestra Iowa and Timothy Hankewich. Michael Daugherty: American Gothic. (2014) Copyright--Orchestra Iowa/Iowa Arts Media (735885407223).
  3. Clague, Mark (November 26, 2013). Daugherty, Michael (Kevin). New Groves Dictionary of American Music (2nd edition, Vol 2 ed.). Oxford University Press. pp. 548–550. ISBN 9780195314281.
  4. Nollen, Diana. "REVIEW: Daugherty's American Gothic paints new pictures with thrilling sonic sweeps". Hoopla. The Gazette/KCRG. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  5. "Michael Daugherty". Bill Holab Music. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  6. Nollen, REVIEW
  7. Orchestra Iowa and Timothy Hankewich

References
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