The Stories of War Concerts
Illuminating History through Music
Soprano Beth Canterbury and pianist Matthew Larson create moving educational events examining the human experience of war through music. Combining artistry, deep research and a warm, communicative style, Canterbury and Larson take their audiences on powerfully emotional journeys into the stories of three major wars of the 19th and 20th centuries: the Civil War, WW1 and WW2. As the audience becomes deeply engaged with the artists and material, these concerts become cathartic community events full of tears and laughter and music becomes a tool for understanding.
For more information about booking one of these educational musical events, please contact Beth.
The Story of Civil War America in Song
In a unique artistic event that illuminates the anguish and triumph of the American Civil War, Beth Canterbury, soprano and Matthew Larson, piano, create a chronology of that war through music. They’ll immerse you in the musical style of the time and give you insight into the war as it evolved. You’ll hear how events inspired songs as well as how music helped citizens endure this terrible chapter in American history.
Moving, informative and uplifting, the program includes African-American spirituals, songs about Lincoln, songs about specific battles, and songs that tell of the toll war takes on individuals. You’ll hear familiar favorites like Deep River, The Battle Hymn of the Republic, and Home, Sweet Home as well as art songs, piano solos and popular songs of the time.
For more information about booking one of these educational musical events, please contact Beth.
The Story of Civil War America in Song
In a unique artistic event that illuminates the anguish and triumph of the American Civil War, Beth Canterbury, soprano and Matthew Larson, piano, create a chronology of that war through music. They’ll immerse you in the musical style of the time and give you insight into the war as it evolved. You’ll hear how events inspired songs as well as how music helped citizens endure this terrible chapter in American history.
Moving, informative and uplifting, the program includes African-American spirituals, songs about Lincoln, songs about specific battles, and songs that tell of the toll war takes on individuals. You’ll hear familiar favorites like Deep River, The Battle Hymn of the Republic, and Home, Sweet Home as well as art songs, piano solos and popular songs of the time.
WWI: The Music and Times 100 Years Later
Melding entertainment, education, and musical artistry, Beth Canterbury, vocalist and Matthew Larson, piano, invite you into the sounds of the Great War. Exploring how music functions as propaganda and how WWI was the final step Western societies took to move into the modern era, Canterbury and Larson use music to take the audience on a journey into their own history.
Great American and European songs like Hail! Hail! The Gang's All Here!, Roses of Picardy, It's a Long Way to Tipperary, and Le Madelon are set with little-known gems like Your King and Country Want You and Germany, You'll Soon Be No-Man's Land and art music by Debussy, Bridge, Ives and Foote.
For videos of excerpts from WW1: The Music and Times 100 Years Later, please go to our Concert Videos page.
Stormy Weather: Music and Politics in the 20's, 30's and WWII
Stormy Weather honors the remarkable artists who witnessed and responded to the history unfolding around them but were powerless to stop it. From Weimar Berlin and the Cabaret movement through the Great Depression, FDR’s first election and the Blitz, Beth Canterbury and Matthew Larson examine the rise of Hitler and Roosevelt and the circumstances that led to WWII through the music and lyrics of the time. Well-loved songs like Bei Mir Bist du Schoen, Brother Can You Spare a Dime and Stormy Weather are performed alongside remarkable political songs of the era including It’s All a Swindle, London Pride and The Lavender Song.
Kiss the Boys Goodbye: Music and Politics in WWII
Featuring propaganda songs, comedy songs about the war, and a sing-along of God Bless America and This Land is Your Land, Canterbury and Larson take the audience from Pearl Harbor through the end of WW2. Great popular songs like Ac-cent-tchu-ate the Positive, The White Cliffs of Dover, and Don't Get Around Much Anymore are performed with remarkable art songs by Poulenc, Ives and Weill and excerpts from Karel Berman’s piano solos Reminiscences, which reflect on his time in, and survival of, Nazi concentration and work camps.
Melding entertainment, education, and musical artistry, Beth Canterbury, vocalist and Matthew Larson, piano, invite you into the sounds of the Great War. Exploring how music functions as propaganda and how WWI was the final step Western societies took to move into the modern era, Canterbury and Larson use music to take the audience on a journey into their own history.
Great American and European songs like Hail! Hail! The Gang's All Here!, Roses of Picardy, It's a Long Way to Tipperary, and Le Madelon are set with little-known gems like Your King and Country Want You and Germany, You'll Soon Be No-Man's Land and art music by Debussy, Bridge, Ives and Foote.
For videos of excerpts from WW1: The Music and Times 100 Years Later, please go to our Concert Videos page.
Stormy Weather: Music and Politics in the 20's, 30's and WWII
Stormy Weather honors the remarkable artists who witnessed and responded to the history unfolding around them but were powerless to stop it. From Weimar Berlin and the Cabaret movement through the Great Depression, FDR’s first election and the Blitz, Beth Canterbury and Matthew Larson examine the rise of Hitler and Roosevelt and the circumstances that led to WWII through the music and lyrics of the time. Well-loved songs like Bei Mir Bist du Schoen, Brother Can You Spare a Dime and Stormy Weather are performed alongside remarkable political songs of the era including It’s All a Swindle, London Pride and The Lavender Song.
Kiss the Boys Goodbye: Music and Politics in WWII
Featuring propaganda songs, comedy songs about the war, and a sing-along of God Bless America and This Land is Your Land, Canterbury and Larson take the audience from Pearl Harbor through the end of WW2. Great popular songs like Ac-cent-tchu-ate the Positive, The White Cliffs of Dover, and Don't Get Around Much Anymore are performed with remarkable art songs by Poulenc, Ives and Weill and excerpts from Karel Berman’s piano solos Reminiscences, which reflect on his time in, and survival of, Nazi concentration and work camps.