Charles Strouse's "Concerto America" (2001) in Review

*"Charles Strouse's "Concerto America" is a strange and rather wonderful beast...It presents an extraordinary kaleidoscopic salute to dozens of styles of American music, with a poignant central section rewritten in response to the events of Sept. 11." The piano part was played with superb rhythmic incisiveness by Jeffrey Biegel. Keith Lockhart, Biegel, and the (Boston Pops) Esplanade Orchestra assembled it with spirit and expertise.

The Boston Globe

*Concert highlights symphony changes

"The most remarkable was also the newest, "Concerto America" by Charles Strouse, composed for second guest soloist, pianist Jeffrey Biegel, who contributed his own cadenza ... The concerto required facility with at least three styles besides classical: jazz, popular and musical theater, Biegel shone in every one. But he did not receive the applause he deserved. Imagine being upstaged by music composed for you."

Ruth O. Bingham, Honolulu Star-Bulletin