How a clarinetist uses classical music to trace a family’s migration and social struggle
In short: Anthony McGill, the first African American principal clarinetist of the New York Philharmonic, is returning to The Met with a program that transcends mere performance. Through a blend of world premieres and historical quintets, he explores the intersection of personal heritage, visual art, and the fight against injustice.
The program, titled 'Cadence: The Sounds of Justice, the Sounds of a Movement,' serves as a sonic tapestry of the twentieth-century Great Migration. McGill draws inspiration from his family’s journey from the Deep South to Chicago, weaving together musical compositions with the visual legacy of artists like Kerry James Marshall, whose work resides in The Met’s collection.
The repertoire bridges the gap between established classical works and new voices. It features the Coleridge-Taylor Clarinet Quintet and Adolphus Hailstork’s 'Three Smiles for Tracey,' alongside a world premiere composition by Richard Danielpour. Performing with the internationally acclaimed Catalyst Quartet, McGill uses these pieces to address the persistent realities of separation, segregation, and injustice.
For McGill, the performance is deeply rooted in a childhood defined by constant creation. Raised by visual artist parents in a household where music and art were essential daily practices, he views art not as a luxury, but as a necessity for navigating the world. This personal philosophy—that life itself should be lived as a designed artwork—underpins his dual role as an Avery Fisher Prize-winning instrumentalist and a dedicated advocate for social change.
The production, made possible by several philanthropic organizations including the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and the Adrienne Arsht Fund for Resilience through Art, highlights the role of cultural institutions in fostering dialogue. By presenting these works at The Met, situated in the Lenape homeland of Mannahatta, the program emphasizes the power of art to unite people across historical and social divides.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Digital Premiere—Cadence: The Sounds of Justice, the Sounds of a Movement | MetLiveArts
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