"What brought the program to its memorable close was Christie's bold, unflinching approach to the broadly sweeping phrases in Dave and http://cdn.apture.com/media/imgs/crsr/socialLink.png), default;">Chris Brubeck​'s "Ansel Adams: America." With 100-plus stunning photos by the time-honored nature photographer seamlessly projected behind the orchestra, the audiovisual impact of the performance were captivating"
 

Sometimes a commission is more than a piece of music: it´s a boost for a whole community. That was the case this past April, when California´s Stockton Symphony Orchestra presented the world premiere of Ansel Adams: America, a new multimedia work by Dave Brubeck and his son, Chris, commemorating the 25th anniversary of the death of renowned California nature
photographer Adams, whose images are projected on a screen in the performances.

The Stockton premiere performances sold out and exceeded all budget expectations. But more important than financial success was the enormous boost in civic pride ...read Symphony Magazine article

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El Capitan, Half Dome, Bridal Veil Fall — millions have discovered these now-familiar landmarks of California's Yosemite Valley through the extraordinary black-and-white photographs of Ansel Adams. Now another American icon has taken Adams' photographs and set them to music. Pianist and jazz legend Dave Brubeck has co-written a new orchestral work with his son, Chris, titled "Ansel Adams: America." ...more

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The music served as a pleasing contemplation and reflection of specific themes of the projected sequences, which were manually operated allowing [Maestro] Bragado some interpretive autonomy in tempos. In the manner of a neoclassical film score, the Brubeck piece blended a variety of elements – classical, Latin and some jazz – with a range of dynamics and moods that connected to the impact of the images."
-The Monterey County Herald

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"The keystone piece for the evening was the work by Dave and Chris Brubeck, "Ansel Adams: America." This was a multi-media piece that projected Ansel Adams photographs in conjunction with the music. … The music followed the visual presentation which began with views of Yosemite – its waterfalls, Half-Dome and El Capitan. … This composition revolved around an opening theme which morphed into sounds to support the fury of the falls, … the majesty of Yosemite Valley and the grandeur of the Southwestern desert. The Brubecks took the audience on an enthralling trip though the photographs of Mr. Adams. The orchestra performed this work admirably with excellent ensemble, intonation and dynamic contrasts. This was a once in a lifetime opportunity. One the audience will not forget. This work received a much deserved standing ovation. Again, bravo!"
— Michael Krikorian, San Francisco Examiner.com

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"As majestic images of Half Dome and Horsetail Falls fade in and out on a giant screen, the music builds and then melts to mirror the majesty of a church or echoes the Southwestern style as a mission takes the screen. When the final moonlit mountain went dark, the music stopped and the full house erupted. The effect is both inspiring and humbling." ...read Sacramento Press article

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The three-concert set resulted in the highest-grossing ticket sales event in the 64 years the Monterey Symphony has presented concerts."
— The Californian.com

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