Summit was written for the Silkroad Ensemble as part of our Transcontinental Railroad Project. Though originally scored for mezzo/banjo, flute, violin, viola, cello, harp, bass, and percussion, the instrumentation is flexible and performers are encouraged to alter it according to their own circumstances.
The piece explores the building of the western branch, from Sacramento, CA to Utah. It was inspired by the workers who were left out of the famous photo celebrating the completion of the railway. This portion of the railroad was built mainly by Chinese immigrants who weathered extremely harsh conditions, accomplishing feats of incredible human strength and persistence. Sadly, their essential contributions were largely not acknowledged, they were denied citizenship and, in some cases, were deported back to China.
Summit attempts to shine a light on this lesser known chapter of American history while also musically tracing the topography of the Sierra Nevada Mountains where these workers sacrificed so much and simultaneously experienced such tremendous natural beauty, before any others in the country had.
Summit was written for the Silkroad Ensemble as part of our Transcontinental Railroad Project. Though originally scored for mezzo/banjo, flute, violin, viola, cello, harp, bass, and percussion, the instrumentation is flexible and performers are encouraged to alter it according to their own circumstances.
The piece explores the building of the western branch, from Sacramento, CA to Utah. It was inspired by the workers who were left out of the famous photo celebrating the completion of the railway. This portion of the railroad was built mainly by Chinese immigrants who weathered extremely harsh conditions, accomplishing feats of incredible human strength and persistence. Sadly, their essential contributions were largely not acknowledged, they were denied citizenship and, in some cases, were deported back to China.
Summit attempts to shine a light on this lesser known chapter of American history while also musically tracing the topography of the Sierra Nevada Mountains where these workers sacrificed so much and simultaneously experienced such tremendous natural beauty, before any others in the country had.
