The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra is wrapping up the first American Music Festival with a concert that includes works by Samuel Barber, Jennifer Higdon, and Aaron Copland. Percussionist Colin Currie, who commissioned Higdon for the concerto he's playing the RPO, discusses the genesis and architecture of the piece, and how his performance has changed since he premiered it 11 years ago.
RPO Music Director Ward Stare chimes in with a chat about Barber's depiction of Medea's tenuous sanity and the nobility and glory that is Copland's Third Symphony.
