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Immigrants themselves (or from immigrant families), the performers, ranging in age from 11 to 24, are all alumni of NPR's From The Top, the radio program that spotlights young, classically-trained musicians.
The idea came from host Christopher O'Riley, who combined the national anthems of the six young musicians into a multi-voiced mashup called "This Land/Our Land." Themes from the anthems of Bulgaria, South Korea, Mexico, Ukraine, Bolivia and Iran ultimately resolve into a soaring arrangement of the Guthrie classic.
"I felt this would be a clear vision of what immigrant culture is contributing to our American lives — culturally, emotionally, moment-to-moment," O'Riley says.
He's also quick to point out that Guthrie's beloved song was written with a political viewpoint often obscured by patriotic nostalgia. And as far as classical music in America goes, O'Riley notes, "There wouldn't be classical music in America without an influx of immigrants."
Musicians:
- Bella Hristova, violin (Bulgaria)
- Mariaya Zabara, cello (Ukraine)
- Javier Morales-Martinez, clarinet (Mexico)
- Jiji, guitar (South Korea)
- Oscar Paz-Suaznabar, piano (Bolivia)
- Amir Siraj, piano (Iran)
- Christopher O'Riley, arranger and music director
Our podcast "Living Downstream" is the recipient of the 2022 Edward R. Murrow Award and has been named by the Global Center for Climate Justice as one of "Five Climate Justice Podcasts You Need to Follow." Wow: 
Satri Pencak is an independent art curator with an M.A. in Art History. She writes about the visual arts for her website, 
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