The Wallis Presents Violinist Johnny Gandelsman: This Is America at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts

Series of Musical Diaries Features Solo Works, Including Two World Premieres, by Composers Ranging in Gender, Ethnic Background, Age and GenreGrammy Award-winning violinist and producer Johnny Gandelsman presents eight works, including two world premieres, from his latest solo project, This Is America, a major commissioning and recording project featuring more than 20 new works for solo violin composed by American and U.S.-based artists ranging in gender, ethnic backgrounds and age, on Thursday, May 19, 2022, 8 pm, at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. Commissioned by twenty presenters in 11 states and Washington D.C., This is America celebrates Americas rich cultural tapestry and its myriad perspectives, thoughts and ideas, offering a vivid counterpoint to the idea that the country can be understood through a singular, dominant point of view. Each composition in the anthology reflects upon the current state of American society in a personal and intimate way, looking through an unflinching lens at such universal topics as separation, loneliness, hope and love. For his Wallis engagement, Gandelsman presents the world premieres of Aeryn Santillan's withdraw, commissioned by The Wallis, and Kojiro Umezakas Breath. Gandelsman will also be featured on Akshaya Avril Tuckers Pallavi - a Meditation on Care; Tomeka Reids Rhapsody; Justin Messinas Music For Solitude; Ebun Oguntolas Reflections; A City Upon a Hill? by Rhea Fowler and Micaela Tobin; and Rhiannon Giddens New To The Session.