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Jewish Composer Marc Blitzstein’s Airborne Symphony Selected to Commemorate Centenary of Davis-Monthan Air Force Base

Marc Blitzstein in 1937

Marc Blitzstein (1905–1964) was a groundbreaking American composer whose work reflected both his commitment to social justice and his rich musical heritage. Known for his versatility, Blitzstein made significant contributions to both the classical and musical theater worlds, with works that conveyed a deep sense of purpose and cultural engagement. His Airborne Symphony, championed by Leonard Bernstein, and his Jewish background provide important windows into understanding his life and artistic legacy.

Born in Philadelphia to a Jewish family, Blitzstein was exposed to music early in life. His father, a prominent businessman, and his mother, a pianist, encouraged his musical development. Blitzstein studied piano and music theory as a child and later pursued formal education at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. His early training was steeped in European classical traditions, but his cultural identity as a Jewish American would remain a strong influence throughout his life and works.

Blitzstein’s Jewish background was significant not only in shaping his musical style, but also in influencing his social and political outlook. As a young composer, he became increasingly engaged with politics, especially during the years of the Great Depression. The struggles of working-class Americans and the fight against fascism resonated deeply with Blitzstein, and his music began to reflect these concerns.

Beyond his musical compositions, Marc Blitzstein was deeply engaged in the political and social movements of his time. His Jewish upbringing, which instilled in him a deep sense of moral responsibility, made him a strong advocate for workers’ rights, civil rights, and anti-fascism.

Blitzstein’s political views were not without consequences. In 1939, he was blacklisted during the McCarthy era, as his political positions made him a target of suspicion. Despite these challenges, Blitzstein remained resolute in his commitment to progressive causes, using his music as a vehicle for social change. Blitzstein’s contributions to American music, theater, and political discourse are undeniable, making him a lasting figure in the landscape of 20th-century composition.

One of Blitzstein’s most significant works is the Airborne Symphony, a large-scale choral-orchestral work written during World War II. Premiered in 1946, the choral symphony originated as a collaboration between Blitzstein and the U.S. Air Force, designed to be a tribute to the men and women serving in the Air Force during the war. The work is notable for its symphonic structure and its incorporation of text, which sets poems about the military experience to music. The choral symphony is a deeply emotional and patriotic piece, underscoring Blitzstein’s ability to blend personal expression with collective experience.

The Airborne Symphony was championed by the renowned conductor Leonard Bernstein, who conducted the premiere and was instrumental in bringing the work to public attention. Bernstein, who was known for his own political activity and advocacy for American composers, saw Blitzstein’s choral symphony as a powerful reflection of the wartime ethos. Bernstein’s endorsement of the Airborne Symphony was critical in securing its place in the American classical canon.

True Concord ensemble performing at the Lincoln Center, New York, in 2015.

Local two-time Grammy- nominated True Concord Voices & Orchestra has been celebrating the 250th anniversary of Tucson’s founding throughout its 2024-25 concert season.  The organization selected Blitzstein’s Airborne Symphony to be the anchor work of its upcoming program intended to commemorate the centenary of the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base with three concerts across greater Tucson beginning February 28.

True Concord received authorization from the Kurt Weill Foundation, which controls Blitzstein’s music, for a new shorter suite edition of the work that eschews the references to war and focuses on the exhilaration of flying and the miracle of flight itself. Tucson has long been fascinated with flight and the skies through Davis-Monthan, the Pima Air and Space Museum and UA’s acclaimed Department of Astronomy.

For more information on the upcoming concerts, click here or call 520-401-2651.

Eric Holtan is Founding Music Director of True Concord Voices & Orchestra. Under his direction, the organization has performed most of the major choral-orchestral works of the canon and premiered dozens of new works by American composers. Originally from Minnesota, Holtan earned a doctor of music degree in choral and orchestral conducting from the University of Arizona.