Amit Peled
Amit Peled and the Mount Vernon Virtuosi (MVV) released a new performance film set to the world premiere of composer John Clayton’s The Hill We Climb. The piece is inspired by and is set to the poem of the same name by American poet and activist Amanda Gorman, which she powerfully recited at the presidential inauguration in January 2021. Peled and the Mount Vernon Virtuosi filmed the piece at The Station Foundation in Bozeman, Montana, where they participated in a week-long « bubble » of intensive study inspired by the NBA Bubble and performed for the Station Foundation residents, Special Operations Forces navigating the rough terrain of transition and reintegration back to civilian life.
Describing the impetus behind creating the film, Peled says, “After such a turbulent time around the world due to Covid coupled with the continuous struggle for more equality in our country, the making of this film has been a torch of hope and strength for all of us who were involved in its creation. We hope viewers will find the music and words as inspiring and healing as we have.”
Composer John Clayton says, “I imagined a scenario that would highlight the strength and the beauty of that poem, but also allow for a conversation between the cello ensemble and the maestro playing the solo parts… as if it were a concerto grosso.”
Cellists featured include Amit Peled, Natalia Vilchis, Nick Pascucci, Lindsey Choung, Mairéad Flory, Kyle Victor, Jiaoyang Sunny Xu, and Álvaro Vázquez Osa. The film was recorded in June 2021 by audio and video producer Matt Carr.
