Lafayette: A Hero of Two Worlds
On September 23, 2025, the LaGrange Symphony Orchestra (LSO) will present a once-in-a-lifetime musical event in celebration of the bicentennial of the Marquis de Lafayette’s historic tour of America. The evening will feature the world premiere of a newly composed tone poem for orchestra, Lafayette: A Hero of Two Worlds, written by Dr. Richard Prior. Prior, an accomplished composer, is also the Music Director and Conductor of the LSO. (more about Maestro Prior below)
Commissioned by the Lafayette Alliance of LaGrange, Georgia, this original work celebrates the bicentennial of the Marquis de Lafayette’s historic tour of America. The composition shines a musical light on Lafayette’s extraordinary life—his unshakable commitment to freedom, his vital friendship with George Washington, and his role as a transatlantic bridge between two nations. These themes of unity and collaboration resonate perfectly with the concert’s title, Powerful Partnerships.
LaGrange itself shares a personal chapter in Lafayette’s story. During his visit to the area, he remarked that the rolling hills of West Georgia reminded him of his French estate, the Château de LaGrange. In tribute, the town was named LaGrange. Lafayette’s presence still graces the square, where his statue reflects LaGrange’s deep and enduring ties to his legacy.
The Marquis de Lafayette
Who was The Marquis de Lafayette?
The Marquis de Lafayette (1757–1834) was a French aristocrat who became one of the most important figures of the American Revolution. At just 19 years old, he volunteered to fight alongside the colonists against Great Britain, earning the lifelong friendship of George Washington and the respect of American patriots. His leadership in battles such as Brandywine and his ability to secure French support for the Revolution were crucial to America’s ultimate victory.
Lafayette continued to advocate for human rights after he returned to France. He was a key voice in the early stages of the French Revolution, drafting the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen—a document that, like America’s Declaration of Independence, emphasized freedom and equality.
Because of his devotion to liberty in both America and France, he is often called “The Hero of Two Worlds.”
How is 2025 his Bicentennial?
After the American Revolution, Lafayette returned to France. Decades later, in 1824–1825, when he was 67 years old, the United States invited him back as the “Nation’s Guest.” For thirteen months, Lafayette traveled through every state, greeted by jubilant crowds, parades, and heartfelt tributes. Everywhere he went, Americans embraced him not only as a military hero, but as a living symbol of their freedom.
Why He Matters Today
The Marquis de Lafayette showed that courage, conviction, and the desire for justice can make a difference. His story continues to inspire us to defend freedom, promote equality, and honor the values we cherish.
More about the Composer
Dr. Richard Prior’s music has been performed, broadcast, and recorded widely by orchestras, choirs, chamber ensembles, and soloists in North America and Europe. He has composed several works for the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO) including the critically acclaimed “…of shadow and light…”, and his Symphony No. 3. The ASO and Conductor Robert Spano went on to record both works and subsequently commissioned his 4th Symphony.
A recipient of multiple awards, including the Harvey Philips Award for Excellence in Composition presented at the Cincinnati Conservatory, the American Prize’s Ernst Bacon Memorial Award for the Performance of American Music and national placing in the Compositions for Orchestra category both in the same year, his Stabat Mater for chorus, soprano soloist, and orchestra received a Pulitzer Prize nomination. In addition to writing music for the concert hall, Prior has also composed for dance and film. Students from his composition and conducting studios have gone on to successfully complete undergraduate and graduate programs at Juilliard, Yale, Curtis, Columbia, Oberlin, Northwestern, Rice, Oberlin, CIM, CCM, NEC, UMKC, and the Royal College of Music (U.K.).
Maestro Richard Prior
The Powerful Partnerships Concert
Marking the opening of the 2025/26 LSO season, the full Powerful Partnerships concert will include:
Star Spangled Banner – Francis Scott Key
Double Concerto for Violin and Viola – Max Bruch
Levon Ambartsumian, violin; Shakhida Azimkhodjaeva, viola
I Andante con moto
II Allegro moderato
III Allegro molto
Lafayette: A Hero of Two Worlds – Richard Prior
[world premiere]
Symphony No. 5 in C minor – Ludwig van Beethoven
I Allegro con brio
II Andante con moto
III Scherzo: Allegro
IV Allegro; presto
Don’t Miss This
Join us for this historic performance on September 23, 2025 (7:30 PM, Callaway Auditorium, LaGrange, GA). The LSO’s new season opens with a palpable rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, then brings you two illustrious guest artists musically conversing through a wonderful romantic Double Concerto for Violin and Viola. After that the LSO pays tribute to The Marquis de Lafayette with a world premiere original composition, Lafayette: A Hero of Two Worlds, and celebrates with Beethoven’s iconic and triumphant Fifth Symphony! All of this is wrapped into ONE concert!
The performance promises to be rich with emotion and dramatic intensity—showcasing the power of music to connect, inspire, and transcend. What better way to ignite a season devoted to the idea that music can cross boundaries, stir the spirit, and truly break sound barriers?
© LaGrange Symphony Orchestra 2025/2026 | All rights reserved | 706.882.0662 | Richard Prior, Music Director & Conductor
