Capturing American Stories: The Pacifica Quartet’s American Portraits

This summer, the Pacifica Quartet will complete a remarkable musical journey with the release of American Portraits, the third and final installment of its American Collection series. The album brings to life two extraordinary American stories through music: Gabriela Lena Frank‘s tribute to environmental pioneer Rachel Carson and Jennifer Higdon‘s portrait of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Together, these works celebrate two women whose convictions changed the course of American history.

A unique thread that connects both pieces is the voice of acclaimed journalist Nina Totenberg, the longtime NPR correspondent who enjoyed a close friendship with Justice Ginsburg for more than four decades. Totenberg serves as narrator, lending warmth and authority to these musical portraits. Her participation transforms the recording into something even more than a musical performance — it becomes a meeting of music, storytelling, and history.

A recording session followed closely on the heels of world-premiere performances at Washington Performing Arts’ annual Ruth Bader Ginsburg Memorial Concert.  After narrating both works before a live audience in Washington, Totenberg stepped into the recording studio to create the version that listeners will hear on the album. Producer Jim Ginsburg ran the session remotely from Chicago, offering guidance and feedback as the voice recording took shape.

Completing the album are three iconic American works: Samuel Barber’s String Quartet in B minor (containing the original version of his beloved Adagio for Strings), George Walker’s heartfelt Lyric for Strings, and George Crumb’s revolutionary, Vietnam War-inspired Black Angels.

American Portraits concludes a trilogy that has explored the richness and diversity of American music through collaborations with some of today’s most celebrated artists. Earlier installments featured performances with clarinetist Anthony McGill, and the youth vocalists of Uniting Voices Chicago. Together, these three albums form a sweeping musical survey of American voices and experiences, culminating in a recording that honors two women whose impact continues to resonate today. Thanks to the generosity of Cedille donors, these performances will become a lasting part of the recorded legacy of American classical music.