Pianist and Story Collector Lara Downes Celebrates America @250, In-Studio

Photo of Lara Downes by Ebru Yildiz

Pianist Lara Downes has spent the last couple of years traveling the country and collecting not only music, but also stories, for a pair of projects that celebrate America at 250. One is her multimedia piece called The Declaration Project, and the other is an album of music that spans at least 250 years of American history called Hold These Truths, which amplifies the stories gathered in her Declaration Project. The music ranges from before the nation’s founding to new works – an overall reflection on revolution, resistance, and resilience from early 20th century composer Harry T. Burleigh to Nigerian-American composer Shawn Okpebholo. Lara Downes plays some of these works, in-studio. 

Set list: 
1. Harry Burleigh: "The Frolic" 
2. Christopher Tin: "Hope Is the Thing with Feathers"
3. Jeff Beal: "Elation" 
4. Shawn Okpebholo: "Wondrous Free" 
5. Ricky Ian Gordon: "Finding Home"