LAMORINDA WEEKLY | GCCP Season Finale focuses on interconnectedness of cultures

Gold Coast Chamber Players conclude their virtual concerts at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 1 with Dvorak's America. Virtual links remain available for one week following the concert date. Q&A with the musicians follows the premiere at 8:30 p.m.

Dvorak's America explores the impact of Spirituals and Native American music on Dvorak during his time in America, highlighting the interconnectedness of cultures. The program will feature Dvorak's String Quintet, op. 97 and the Lento from his String Quartet op. 96, both nicknamed "the American." Original music by Mary Youngblood for Native American flute, "Within My Heart" and "Beneath the Raven Moon" and her arrangement "Amazing Grace," offer music akin to what Dvorak heard during his stay in America.

Perhaps the greatest musical influence on Dvorak during his time in America was hearing African American Spirituals, that he proclaimed are at the heart of American music. Spirituals to be performed are "Swing Low Sweet Chariot," "By an' By," and "My Lord What a Morning." Concluding the program will be "Goin' Home" from Dvorak's New World Symphony. This famous melody was transformed into a Spiritual by William Arms Fisher, serving as a unique metaphor for the program theme, and will be performed by the entire ensemble.

Leading the ensemble is internationally acclaimed Bay Area favorite, the Alexander String Quartet. This concert marks one of the first performances with their new violist, David Samuel. The Alexander String Quartet has performed in the major music capitals of five continents, securing its standing among the world's premier ensembles, and a major artistic presence in its home base of San Francisco, serving since 1989 as Ensemble in Residence of San Francisco Performances and Directors of The Morrison Chamber Music Center Instructional Program at San Francisco State University.

Violist Pamela Freund-Striplen, a frequent ASQ collaborator, joins for the String Quintet. Soprano Michele Kennedy has performed in Carnegie Hall, Davies Symphony Hall, Bard Summerscape, Getty Museum, Lincoln Center, Powell Symphony Hall, and Washington National Cathedral. San Francisco Chronicle notes that her "graceful tonal clarity was a wonder to hear." Native American Mary Youngblood, half Seminole and half Aleut, is the first woman to professionally record the Native American Flute, and the first woman to win not just one, but two Grammy Awards for "Best Native American Music Album."

Single ticket: $30. Concerts are streamed via YouTube. Purchase online at www.GCCPmusic.com or by calling (925) 283-3728. Please visit gccpmusic.com to find regular updates about concert offerings, to make donations, and to purchase tickets. Link provided after ticket purchase.