Aveline Kirana
The legacy of the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, a staunch advocate for gender equality and civil rights, was celebrated in a poignant musical tribute that underscored her deep appreciation for the arts. Washington Performing Arts (WPA), in collaboration with the Washington National Opera, hosted an annual memorial concert that this year focused on the works of three distinguished women composers, featuring two world premieres and a moving narration by Justice Ginsburg’s close friend, veteran journalist Nina Totenberg. This event, established to honor Justice Ginsburg’s profound connection to the arts and her instrumental role in co-curating numerous concerts at the Supreme Court with WPA President Emeritus Doug Wheeler, has become a cornerstone of Washington D.C.’s cultural calendar. The tradition was initiated by Jenny Bilfield, President & CEO of WPA, alongside Board Chairman Rudy Burwell and Doug Wheeler, recognizing Justice Ginsburg’s significant contributions to both the legal and artistic communities.
Genesis of a Memorial: A Justice’s Passion for the Arts
Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s relationship with the arts was not merely that of an appreciative observer but an active participant. For years, she collaborated closely with Doug Wheeler, then President of Washington Performing Arts, to curate concert series held within the hallowed halls of the Supreme Court. These events brought classical music directly to the judiciary and the public, fostering a unique intersection of law and culture. Her regular attendance at the Washington National Opera was well-documented, culminating in the opera company honoring her with a dedicated program and her inclusion in a production of "La Fille du Régiment," a testament to her broad artistic engagement. The establishment of the annual Ruth Bader Ginsburg Memorial Award and Concert by WPA and the Washington National Opera solidified this enduring connection, ensuring her passion for artistic expression would continue to inspire future generations. This year’s iteration, held on [Insert Date of Event], marked another significant moment in this ongoing tribute.
A Program of Resonance: Women Composers Take Center Stage
The 2023 Ruth Bader Ginsburg Memorial Concert, held at [Insert Venue if known, otherwise omit or generalize], was meticulously designed to showcase the brilliance of contemporary women composers, a reflection of Justice Ginsburg’s own dedication to elevating women’s voices and achievements. The program opened with a rediscovery of the works of Florence Price (1887-1953), an African American composer whose significant contributions were largely overlooked during her lifetime. The Pacifica Quartet, a Grammy Award-winning ensemble, presented Price’s String Quartet No. 1 in G major, a two-movement work that captivated the audience with its lyrical beauty and heartfelt solemnity. The opening movement, a traditional sonata allegro, flowed with grace, while the second movement, structured in a ternary form, offered a gentle Andante Moderato, a wistful Allegretto, and a return to the contemplative Moderato. This inclusion served as a poignant reminder of the historical underrepresentation of women in classical music and the ongoing efforts to rectify this imbalance. Georgetown University’s Special Collections, which houses a notable collection of Price’s manuscripts, photographs, and correspondence, further highlights the importance of preserving and promoting her legacy.
The centerpiece of the first half of the program was the world premiere of Jennifer Higdon’s "Steps for Justice." Higdon, a Pulitzer Prize-winning composer, created a piece specifically to honor Justice Ginsburg, weaving text excerpts from the Justice’s own writings and speeches into a compelling musical tapestry. Higdon herself was present, directing the string quartet and Nina Totenberg from the foot of the stage, a visual representation of the collaborative spirit that infused the evening. The music was described as strong and harmonically rich, drawing a parallel to Aaron Copland’s iconic "Lincoln Portrait" in its ability to integrate spoken word with orchestral accompaniment. Unlike the more biographical and quote-driven text of Higdon’s work, "Steps for Justice" aimed to connect with new audiences by presenting Justice Ginsburg’s profound impact on women’s rights, civil rights, and human justice through a blend of personal narrative and impactful pronouncements.
The second half of the concert delved into the powerful and poetic, featuring the premiere of Gabriela Lena Frank’s "The Edge of Everything." This ambitious work utilized text from Rachel Carson, the pioneering environmentalist and author of the seminal "Silent Spring." Frank, who was simultaneously premiering a new operatic work in New York, entrusted her composition to the Pacifica Quartet and Nina Totenberg. The musical setting was lauded for its profound responsiveness to Carson’s prose, which, though not poetry, possessed a lyrical quality that Frank masterfully translated into music. The quartet’s performance was described as a sensitive dialogue with the narrator, creating moments of profound resonance. As noted in the program, the quartet "answers, comments, breathes with her, sometimes falling silent at precisely the moments where the weight of a word needs space to land." This approach ensured that the music enhanced, rather than overshadowed, Carson’s urgent message. The choice of Carson’s text, especially given her passing from breast cancer, added an additional layer of poignancy, underscoring the enduring relevance of her environmental advocacy. Frank’s own words, quoted from the program notes, revealed her philosophical approach: "She understood… that the most faithful rendering of the natural world demands both the microscope and the poem."
Nina Totenberg: A Voice of Warmth and Articulation
Renowned legal affairs correspondent Nina Totenberg, a close confidante of Justice Ginsburg, delivered the spoken narration for both Higdon’s and Frank’s compositions. Her performance was singled out for its exceptional presence and warmth, her well-known and beautiful voice providing perfect articulation. The challenge of simultaneously narrating complex texts and following musical cues was met with apparent ease, a testament to her skill and preparation. Her deep personal connection to Justice Ginsburg undoubtedly imbued her delivery with an authentic emotional depth, allowing the audience to connect more profoundly with the narratives presented. The integration of Totenberg’s narration with the musical performances created a dynamic and engaging experience, blurring the lines between spoken word and musical interpretation.
The Pacifica Quartet: Masters of Musical Dialogue
The Pacifica Quartet demonstrated remarkable sensitivity and technical prowess throughout the evening. Their performance of Florence Price’s String Quartet No. 1 was characterized by a heartfelt solemnity, setting a tone of reverence for the concert. In their renditions of the contemporary works, the quartet proved adept at creating a nuanced musical dialogue with the narration. Their accompaniment to Jennifer Higdon’s "Steps for Justice" was described as strong and harmonically rich, providing a robust foundation for Justice Ginsburg’s words. For Gabriela Lena Frank’s "The Edge of Everything," the quartet’s interpretation was particularly praised for its ability to respond to the poetic nature of Rachel Carson’s text. The balance achieved between the musical score and the narration was a significant highlight, with the accompaniment never overwhelming the spoken word, thereby giving each word its due weight and impact. This delicate interplay suggests a collaborative spirit that extended beyond the composers and narrator to the performers themselves. The quartet’s rendition was so compelling that it was suggested the work is "meant to be repeated in other programs."
A Beethovenian Climax: Mastery and Emotion
The concert concluded with a monumental performance of Ludwig van Beethoven’s String Quartet in B-flat Major, Op. 130. This six-movement masterpiece, known for its complexity and emotional range, provided the Pacifica Quartet with an opportunity to showcase their virtuosity and interpretive depth. The quartet’s performance of this challenging work was described as outstanding, particularly noting the initial Adagio, ma non troppo and the subsequent movements. The first violinist, Simin Ganatra, was highlighted for her clear tone and projection, which were features of the performance. Violist Mark Holloway and cellist Brandon Vamos delivered powerful and expressive interpretations, while second violinist Austin Hartman also drew praise for his contributions.
The Cavatina, a movement of profound lyrical beauty, was noted for its familiarity and its introspective quality, offering a moment of respite before the work’s dramatic conclusion. The movement’s marking of "Beklemmt" (oppressive) was interpreted with a palpable sense of unease, with the music described as stumbling and navigating halting, uncertain rhythms. This emotional arc led into the formidable Grosse Fuge, originally intended as the quartet’s finale. The performance of this notoriously complex and challenging movement was met with admiration for its multifaceted character, described as violent, aggressive, charming, and even humorous, due to its deceptive endings and intricate fugal passages. The quartet’s masterful execution of the three fugues within this movement underscored Beethoven’s genius and cemented the evening’s program as a profound exploration of musical artistry, from contemporary innovation to classical mastery. The inclusion of this significant Beethoven work served as a powerful reminder of the enduring power of classical music and its capacity to convey the full spectrum of human emotion, a sentiment that undoubtedly resonated with Justice Ginsburg’s own appreciation for the art form.
Broader Impact and Implications
The annual Ruth Bader Ginsburg Memorial Concert serves a dual purpose: it honors the memory of a legal icon and actively promotes the work of contemporary artists, particularly women composers. By consistently featuring new works and highlighting overlooked figures, the concert contributes to the ongoing diversification and enrichment of the classical music canon. The event also underscores the vital role that arts organizations like Washington Performing Arts play in fostering cultural dialogue and preserving artistic legacies. The selection of texts by Justice Ginsburg and Rachel Carson, both figures whose work has had profound societal implications, suggests a deliberate effort to connect artistic expression with broader themes of justice, advocacy, and environmental responsibility. The enthusiastic reception of the premieres and the masterful performances of both contemporary and classical repertoire indicate a strong public appetite for such thoughtfully curated artistic experiences. The continued success and evolving nature of this memorial concert promise to keep Justice Ginsburg’s spirit of intellectual curiosity and artistic appreciation alive for years to come.
