The Phoenix Symphony kicks off its 2015/16 APS Pops series with a dynamic multimedia experience as we mark the 150th Anniversary of the Civil War, the 100th anniversary of World War I and the 75th anniversary of World War II. Westwater Arts returns to Phoenix from its acclaimed 2012 Centennial performance of the Grand Canyon Suite with powerful symphonic photochoreography using hundreds of unique and rare archival photographs projected on three screens above the orchestra. Join The Phoenix Symphony in Tribute to the Brave October 2 and 3 at 7:30 p.m. and October 4 at 2:00 p.m. at Symphony Hall in downtown Phoenix.

WWII_12The first photographic essay, The Eternal Struggle, is a poignant glimpse into what is was like to live and govern during the Civil War and is set to the words of Abraham Lincoln through the incomparable music of Aaron Copland’s Lincoln Portrait as hundreds of carefully chosen historical photographs are shown. The excerpts of Lincoln’s work will be narrated by the Honorable Senator Jon Kyl on October 2 and 3.

Next, The Symphony performs No Man’s Land, commemorating World War I and the collision between centuries-old traditions and the emergence of modern warfare with the music of Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5. Finally, in Citizen Soldier, The Phoenix Symphony reflects on more than 100 million man and women who participated in history’s most widespread conflict, World War II, set to Barber’s Second Essay for Orchestra. Inspirational and patriotic tributes in support of our men and women in uniform finish out the program.

Tribute to the Brave is conducted by Jacomo Bairos.