This is the first movement of a String Symphony in four movements entitled "American Serenade." This movement is drawn from the composer's love of American folk art, and specifically the paintings of Thomas Moran and Albert Beirstadt.  The many large scale and colorful depictions of the untamed West by these great artists give a real feel for the rough hewn frontier life, and are the inspiration for this movement. The cliche' of "wide open spaces", and the Big Sky are the images this music is meant to evoke as the soundtrack for whatever pictures or stories of America come to mind!