Work of the Week – Frederic Rzewski / Andrew Norman: The People United Will Never Be Defeated

By Christopher Peter
8 Mar 2026

Central portrait of Andrew Norman alongside a black-and-white image of Frederic Rzewski. The background shows a historical protest with a red "REVOLUCIÓN POPULAR" banner.

There are some melodies that simply refuse to stay on the page. They carry the weight of history in a way that feels almost visceral. The Chilean protest anthem "¡El pueblo unido jamás será vencido!" is exactly that kind of song—a cry for freedom that took root in Santiago back in '73. When Frederic Rzewski turned it into his massive cycle of 36 piano variations, in 1975, he created a landmark of modern music: The People United Will Never Be Defeated. Now, fast forward to March 2026, and the New York Philharmonic is doing something truly extraordinary with it. To mark the U.S. 250th anniversary, they’ve gathered a group of the most exciting composers today to re-imagine the entire cycle for orchestra.

Theme and First Variation by Andrew Norman

The person setting the whole thing in motion is our own Andrew Norman. Known for his high-octane, architecturally brilliant scores, Andrew was entrusted with the project's most vital moment: the start. His contribution to The People United Will Never Be Defeated is titled "Theme and First Variation," is where the magic begins. He takes Rzewski's defiant theme and translates it from the keyboard to the full symphonic stage for the first time, laying down the sonic DNA for the rest of the piece.

It’s a collaborative feat that includes voices like Tania León, Maria Schneider, and Roberto Sierra, all brought together under the baton of Gustavo Dudamel. When the curtain goes up at the Wu Tsai Theater on March 12, it won't just be a concert—it’ll be a statement. Rzewski’s original was a test of individual virtuosity, but this new New York version is about the power of the collective. It’s a musical "E pluribus unum"– the motto of the United States of America – that feels exactly right for the times we’re living in. A statement that transcends generations and remains relevant today.