American Visions: Fourth of July Music to Enjoy All Year Long

I am an unabashed sucker for patriotic music on Independence Day. The economy may be shaky and some towns might not have fireworks this year but music inspired by love of country we always will have with us. They can't take that away from us.

I will celebrate the Fourth as usual - with friends for a barbeque, watching whatever fireworks my town can afford, and enjoying rousing televised concerts later in the evening. Now, thanks to "American Visions," I can savor music to love my country by all year long. This collection, performed by the Boston Pops Orchestra directed by Keith Lockhart, is destined to withstand time and trendiness. As long as the U.S.A. survives, there will be Americans who love these musical selections. I like to listen to this in the evening with the lights lowered and wallowing in the glory of it all.

A Hymn to New England (1987), by John Williams

The soaring, almost reverent quality of this music conveys the dignity and grace of the Eastern Seaboard. Its sense of imagery works well probably because it was originally composed as a score for a movie called "New England Time Capsule" made in 1987.

Buckaroo Holiday from Rodeo (1942) by Aaron Copland

Copland was a buckaroo from Brooklyn who lived all his life in New York City but he loved Western music and it shows here.

Mississippi Suite (1926) by Ferde Grofe

Also hatched in New York City, Grofe grew up on the West Coast to play a crucial part in the creation of music for film, theater, and other venues. This suite is divided into four sections: "Father of Waters", "Huckleberry Finn", "Old Creole Days" and "Mardi Gras." The music is famous and will probably seem familiar.

The Housatonic at Stockbridge from Three Places in New England (1903-14), by Charles Ives

Ives was a successful insurance agent and a gifted composer. On June 28, 1908, during his honeymoon, he strolled with his bride along the Housatonic River at Stockbridge, MA, and composed this piece about it a couple days later.

Maypole Dances from Merry Mount Suite, Op. 31 (1937), by Howard Hanson

Hanson was a triple-threat educator, conductor, and composer who composed a series of symphonies and also an opera called "Merry Mount" based on a Nathaniel Hawthorn short story.

Times Square from On The Town, (1944), by Leonard Bernstein

Bernstein's musical compositions seem to capture the very bustling essence of life in a New York minute, especially this lively dance number which ended the first act of "On The Town."

Savannah River Holiday: Overture (1955), by Ron Nelson

Savannah River Holiday is Nelson's best known work whose rich imagery proved to be a real career-maker for the gifted composer.

Fiesta from San Juan Capistrano (1939), by Harl McDonald

McDonald studied at the University of Southern California among other places so it is not surprising that, among his historical works based on American subjects, there surfaced a work entitled "San Juan Capistrano." The first movement depicted the famous Spanish mission of the same name and the second movement ("Fiesta") celebrates Spanish culture in the Southwest. It will make you want to get up and dance!

Mark Twain: Portrait for Orchestra (1942), by Jerome Kern

Jerome Kern - isn't he that guy who wrote "Showboat"? Yes, but he also came up with this musical portrait of one of American's most famous authors. The work is divided into four movements: "Hannibal Days", "Gorgeous Pilot House", "Wandering Westward" and "Mark in Eruption."

The guys who created these works loved their country and their work will always be a part of our national treasure and something extra to celebrate on the Fourth of July. In the words of a famous tee-shirt slogan: "If you are lucky enough to be an American, then you're lucky enough."