With the United States nearing its 250th anniversary, Summit, Myths & Music honors the landscapes and myths that have defined the country’s spirit. Carl Nielsen’s Helios Overture traces the sun’s grand ascent over the Aegean, filling the orchestra with brilliance. Britten’s Four Sea Interludes from Peter Grimes follows—an evocative seascape of shimmering blues, stark silences, and surging waves. The mystery of Mount Rainier unfolds in Stephen Lias’s It Stands Alone, a powerful multimedia tribute commissioned in partnership with the National Park Service to honor Mount Rainier National Park’s 125th anniversary. The evening concludes with Dvořák’s American Suite, where dance-like melodies and rustic harmonies celebrate the composer’s love for the New World.

Program
Carl NIELSEN – Helios Overture
Benjamin BRITTEN – Peter Grimes: Four Sea Interludes, op. 33a
Stephen LIAS – Mount Rainier multimedia commission, “It Stands Alone”
Antonin DVORAK – American Suite, op. 98b in A Major

Guest Artist
Stephen Lias, composer

Discover More at the Summit
Join us for a pre-concert talk with Dr. Gwynne Kuhner Brown at 1:30 PM, just before Summit, Myths & Music. A professor of musicology and music theory at the University of Puget Sound, Dr. Brown is known for her engaging and accessible style. She’ll offer fresh perspectives on the concert program and help you listen more deeply to the music you’re about to experience. Whether you're a seasoned listener or brand new to classical music, this is your chance to deepen your experience and hear the stories that shaped the sound.