Douglas Moore - Giants in the Earth (Delta David Gier)

Information

Composer: Douglas Moore

• Giants in the Earth

Michael J. Hawk; Meredith Lustig; Andrew Gilstrap

Sarah Nordin; Dylan Morrongiello; Megan Koch

Benjamin Dutcher; Abby Brodnick; Joshua Jeremiah

Steve Pence; Peter Tuff; Jude Lundeby; Lucille Lundeby

South Dakota Symphony Orchestra & Chorus

Delta David Gier, conductor

Date: 2026

Label: PentaTone

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The South Dakota Symphony Orchestra, directed by Delta David Gier, presents the world premiere recording of Douglas Moore’s opera, Giants in the Earth. Revived in 2025, this compelling work explores the severe realities of pioneer life on the Dakota plains through the profound struggles of Beret and Per Hansa. Moore’s tonal score masterfully employs text-driven vocal lines and expressive ariosos to contrast human fragility with an unforgiving environment. Centered around themes of isolation, tradition, and profound longing, this landmark recording vividly captures the psychological depth, emotional tension, and lyrical beauty of an essential American masterpiece.

Douglas Moore (1893–1969) was a prominent American composer renowned for his folk operas centered on historical and pioneer themes in the United States. Educated by Horatio Parker at Yale and later by Vincent d’Indy and Nadia Boulanger in Paris, Moore spent nearly four decades on the faculty of Columbia University. His distinguished operatic catalog features The Devil and Daniel Webster, the Pulitzer Prize-winning Giants in the Earth, and his most celebrated masterpiece, The Ballad of Baby Doe. Characterized by text-driven vocal lines and programmatic orchestral works like Pageant of P.T. Barnum, Moore’s lyrical compositions fundamentally shaped the landscape of American opera.

Delta David Gier (born 1960), Music Director of the South Dakota Symphony Orchestra since 2004, is highly celebrated for his bold programming and dedicated community engagement. A recipient of Columbia University’s Ditson Conductor’s Award, Gier has led prestigious ensembles globally, including the New York Philharmonic and the Chicago Symphony. His innovative initiatives, such as a Pulitzer Prize composer series and the Lakota Music Project, which bridges racial divides through musical collaboration, have earned widespread critical acclaim. Anchored by his extensive training under Gustav Meier and a rich background in music education, Gier remains a dynamic champion of living composers and cultural healing.