The Gilmore & Kalamazoo Symhony Orchestra Team Up for ‘American Sputnik’ World Premiere in 2026
By David SalazarThe Gilmore is teaming up with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra to co-commission Evan Mack and Mark Campbell’s “American Sputnik.”
The new work for baritone, piano, and orchestra will explore Van Cliburn’s famed victory at the first Tchaikovsky Piano Competition in 1958 at the height of the Cold War.
The work will feature baritone Joseph Lattanzi as the iconic pianist with Stanisklav Khirstenko at the piano. The work will premiere at the Gilmore Piano Festival in 2026.
“Commissioning ‘American Sputnik’ reflects our vision to push the boundaries of what a piano festival can offer,” said Dr. van der Westhuizen, Executive and Artistic Director of The Gilmore, per an official press release. “By combining the drama of opera with the virtuosity of piano, we aim to bring audiences a unique and deeply engaging experience. This collaboration with Evan Mack, Mark Campbell, and the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, exemplifies our dedication to celebrating the piano while pushing creative limits.”
“I was thrilled when Evan suggested Van Cliburn as a subject for a solo musical work,” added Campbell. “At a time when the U.S. once again finds itself at odds with the Russian government, Van Cliburn’s story demonstrates how artists can help bring nations together through a shared love of music.”
The work will be paired with Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 2 for which Khirstenko won first prize, gold medal, and Grand Prix at the International Tchaikovsky Piano Competition in 2019. Julian Kuerti will conduct the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra.
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