The Department of Music presents the Inscape Chamber Orchestra, which will perform three seminal works written between 1946 and 1948 that showcase American creativity in the immediate post-World War II years:

Walter Piston: Divertimento for Nine Instruments
Ulysses Kay: The Quiet One: Suite from the film score
Samuel Barber: Medea

Walter Piston’s Divertimento is imbued with stark harmonies and a rhythmic vitality reminiscent of the industrial might of the mid-century nation. Ulysses Kay’s music was written to accompany The Quiet One, a documentary film that follows the life of a lonely young boy from Harlem who is rejected by his loved ones, but eventually finds acceptance at his private school. Nominated for several Academy Awards, it stands as the first major film score by a Black composer. Written for the great choreographer and dancer Martha Graham, Barber’s original score follows the story of the mythological figure Medea who seeks revenge when her husband leaves her for another woman.

Founded in 2004 by artistic director and conductor Richard Scerbo, Inscape Chamber Orchestra is pushing the boundaries of classical music in riveting performances that reach across genres and generations, and transcend the confines of the traditional classical concert experience.

“…brilliant” — The New York Times
“…guts and musical sensitivity” — The Washington Post
“…aurally stunning” — Archivmusic

$15 general admission, $10 for senior citizens, and $5 for students. (This event is free for UMBC Department of Music students, faculty and staff.) Ticket availability will be announced.