Are All 4th of July And Other Patriotic Concerts Created Equal?
Not necessarily! Whether it’s Independence Day, Veterans’ Day, Memorial Day or just ANY day, a concert of all music is nice, but here’s something a little different to add to the mix… The Bedford Suite.
This 25-minute piece for orchestra and two actors is both patriotic and emotional. It draws on music scored for the award-winning documentary film BEDFORD: THE TOWN THEY LEFT BEHIND and actual love letters exchanged by two characters in the film: a man and wife separated by WWII after their brief 8-day honeymoon. He was one of the very first to land on the beach on D-Day, while she waited desperately for news of his fate at home in the small town of Bedford, Virginia. The music includes rousing battle motifs, romantic waltzes and a majestic main theme. The premiere performance in Washington, DC received both tears and strong praise from audience and orchestra members alike.
Music and dialogue are fully integrated and simple to coordinate within standard rehearsals. The conductor’s score includes cues for the two readers, who are positioned at music stands with microphones.