American Gothic (composition)

American Gothic for orchestra by Grammy Award winning composer Michael Daugherty^[1] is a 20-minute orchestral piece in three movements inspired by the paintings of Iowa 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 Rapid's 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

• Artist's Page, Bill Holab Music."Michael Daugherty". Bill Holab Music. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
• 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.
• "Michael Daugherty Wins Best Contemporary Classical Composition". Grammy.com. The Recording Academy. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
• Nollen, Diana. "REVIEW: Daugherty's American Gothic paints new pictures with thrilling sonic sweeps". Hoopla. The Gazette/KCRG. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
• Orchestra Iowa and Timothy Hankewich. Michael Daugherty: American Gothic. (2014) Copyright--Orchestra Iowa/Iowa Arts Media (735885407223)

External Links

• Michael Daugherty website