Michael Reichel (ari)
As part of the “Musik im Audimax” concert series, the Academic Orchestra of the TU Ilmenau invites you to this year’s summer concert on Tuesday, July 7, 2026. Under the title “An American Journey,” the orchestra will present works by prominent 20th-century American composers starting at 7:30 p.m. in the Audimax at TU Ilmenau. Doors open at 7:00 p.m.
The audience can look forward to a musical journey through various styles of American classical music—from folk influences to jazz and minimal music, all the way to world-famous musicals.
Under the direction of Pamela R. Mayorga, the orchestra will open the evening with the “Suite of Dances for Orchestra” by Florence Price (1887–1953). Price was the first African American composer whose works were performed by renowned orchestras. In her suite, she combines traditional African American folk music with symphonic timbres.
This will be followed by the two-movement “Concerto for Clarinet, Strings, Harp, and Piano” by Aaron Copland (1900–1990). Clarinetist Hendrik Wüster will perform as soloist. Originally composed for jazz musician Benny Goodman, the work combines classical music with jazz elements and Latin American rhythms.
The orchestra will then perform “In C” by Terry Riley (b. 1935), a landmark of minimal music. The work is considered one of the most significant experimental pieces in recent music history. During the performance, the musicians themselves decide in part on the sequence of individual musical phrases, making each interpretation unique.
The concert evening concludes with excerpts from the world-famous *West Side Story* by Leonard Bernstein (1918–1990). The musical, based on Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” combines rousing rhythms, catchy melodies, and a dramatic plot to create one of the best-known works of American musical theater.
“With ‘An American Journey,’ we aim to bring the diversity and expressiveness of American musical traditions to Ilmenau while also introducing lesser-known works to a broad audience,” says conductor Pamela R. Mayorga.
Music in the Audimax: Summer Concert “An American Journey”
Tuesday, July 7, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
Doors open at 7:00 p.m.
Audimax at TU Ilmenau
Free admission
The Academic Orchestra receives financial support from the City of Ilmenau for the summer concert.
