Thomas Ospital opens his organ recital with the American national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner. But what composer Dudley Buck does with it will take your breath away — there’s nothing remotely patriotic or martial about it. And that’s not the only sly twist. The fact that Ospital — a Frenchman born in Bayonne in 1990 and, since 2015, titular organist of Saint-Eustache in Paris — should become the “Voice of America” is enough to make you smile. Just as amusing is the observation that America, an earlier, unofficial U.S. national anthem varied by Charles Ives, is actually based on an English tune. But Ospital doesn’t stop at clever punchlines. He will also play a brilliant transcription of Sergei Rachmaninoff’s symphonic poem The Isle of the Dead as well as the Symphonie-Passion by the French organ master Marcel Dupré, who was inspired by the largest organ in the world, the Wanamaker Grand Court Organ in Philadelphia. The rousing “closer” is Iain Farrington’s Live Wire — a piece that sounds as if it were being played by a jazz band.

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Thomas Ospital

KKL Luzern Concert Hall

Landmarks celebrates America 250 and Boston’s rich and diverse musical heritage with a program featuring Bernstein’s beloved Symphonic Dances from West Side Story, William Grant Still’s multi-faceted portrait of America in his Symphony No. 4, and several sparkling miniatures by Leroy Anderson. Partners include Marcus Santos and his Grooversity Brazilian drumming ensemble, members of Berklee’s Reverence Gospel Ensemble, and Everyone250.

Best of Boston

Hatch Memorial Shell

For the United States of America’s 250th anniversary, the American Symphony Orchestra celebrates the forging of an American musical identity in the 19th century with a diverse program of seldom performed scores. The concert’s centerpiece is George Bristow’s massive “Niagara” symphony in its first performance since the work’s world premiere. The program begins with two scores of joyful, exuberant celebration, each one rhythmically propulsive and highly entertaining: the Festival Overture on the American National Air by Dudley Buck and Richard Wagner’s American Centennial March, which he wrote for the opening of the Declaration of Independence’s centennial celebration in 1876 in Philadelphia.

Forging an American Musical Identity

Carnegie Hall

Join us for the SMSO’s annual tribute to America and its steadfast strength with a mixture of patriotic favorites, film scores, and iconic American works. The 1812 Overture by Tchaikovsky synchronized to an outstanding fireworks display ends this spectacular celebration! 

Salute to America

Shadowland Pavilion

We conclude our season with a celebration of Americana! The Firelands Symphony welcomes back violinist Andrés Cárdenes, former concertmaster of the Pittsburgh Symphony, known internationally as one of the world’s most outstanding violinists. His performance of the stunning Barber Violin Concerto will be one of an array of works by American composers. Join us as we celebrate all things American on Memorial Day weekend.

Made in America

Sawmill Creek Convention Center

It gives me great pleasure to welcome the UW–Madison Wind Ensemble and their conductor, Scott Teeple, to our organ series in what I hope is one of many future collaborations. Pairing the forces of our Klais with the full band will blow you away in this electrifying program. With large ensemble works such as Grainger’s Irish Tune from County Derry (“Danny Boy”), as well as intimate works like Morricone’s Gabriel’s Oboe arranged for organ and saxophone featuring a soloist from the ensemble, I cannot think of a more powerful way to close out the 23/24 season! – Greg Zelek

Dudley Buck

Events

Past events

Sep 12, 2026

Thomas Ospital · Lucerne Festival

Jul 22, 2026

Best of Boston · Boston Landmarks Orchestra

About

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