AMERICAN HISTORY IN MUSIC, SPEECH YAROSLAVSKY IS SET TO NARRATE COPLAND'S 'LINCOLN PORTRAIT'.

Byline: Lisa M. Sodders Staff Writer

NORTHRIDGE - As a public official since 1975 - first on the Los Angeles City Council, then as a Los Angeles County supervisor - Zev Yaroslavsky has long found inspiration in the words of President Abraham Lincoln.

That's why he was thrilled to be asked to narrate a performance of ``Lincoln Portrait'' by renowned American composer Aaron Copland. The work will be performed Friday by the 46-member wind ensemble at California State University, Northridge.

``I can't even imagine the kinds of burdens Abraham Lincoln bore,'' Yaroslavsky said during a break from a recent rehearsal. ``I think he was the greatest president in our nation's history.''

``Lincoln Portrait'' is a 13-minute concert piece of music interspersed with excerpts from Lincoln's speeches, including the famed Gettysburg Address, and details from the life of the 16th president.

The work was commissioned in 1942 by conductor Andre Kostelanetz at a time when many conductors wanted works that could reassure the country as it entered World War II, said Lawrence Stoffel, conductor and CSUN director of bands.

``This is a work that many people say represents Aaron Copland's 'Americana' period at his best,'' Stoffel said.

The composition reflects ``the ideals of democracy and freedom in the purest sense,'' he said. ``He used Abraham Lincoln's speeches. It's not a chest-thumping patriotism, but a genuine sense of freedom.''

Lines like ``we cannot escape history'' speak to Yaroslavsky, reminding him that actions - and inaction - have consequences, he said.

``These words were not just powerful 150 years ago; they speak to us today,'' he said. ``It's really a call to face up to your responsibilities.''

To prepare, Yaroslavsky has been listening to several recordings of the work - performances by Adlai Stevenson and Henry Fonda are his favorites - and rehearsing with the wind ensemble. He said he's trying to tone down his booming baritone - which works well for political speeches - to let Lincoln's words speak for themselves.

Because he played piano and oboe as a boy - ``neither one very well'' - Yaroslavsky can read music well enough to keep up with the ensemble, but he noted that the biggest challenge for him is ``paying close attention'' to the conductor.

``Last week, I skipped one of the narrations, and this poor clarinetist was holding onto a note for five minutes,'' Yaroslavsky said. ``I thought she was going to bust a gut!''

During one recent rehearsal, Stoffel took the time to remind the ensemble of the horrors of slavery that Lincoln sought to end: families torn apart, and slave owners who could legally beat, rape and mutilate other human beings because they ``owned'' them.

``This man spoke against that,'' said Stoffel, turning to percussionist Steve Hernandez, 20, of San Fernando, ``and all of that must come out in your tympany roll.''

``Don't feel any pressure,'' Yaroslavsky quipped dryly.

``Lincoln Portrait'' will be part of a program titled ``Everybody's All- American,'' which also will feature Richard Rodgers' ``Carousel Waltz'' from the musical ``Carousel''; Vincent Persichetti's Symphony for Band, Opus 69; William Schuman's ``George Washington Bridge''; and William Grant Still's ``Folk Suite.''

Several of the CSUN musicians stopped by to shake the supervisor's hand after rehearsals and said they hoped having him perform with them would draw more people to the concert.

``I think it lends a certain integrity and dramatic value to the performance,'' said trumpet player Richard Hofmann, 43, of Granada Hills. ``We have a prominent local politician reading the words of a prominent national president.''

Lisa M. Sodders, [phone]

lisa.sodders(at)dailynews.com

--Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky and the Cal State Northridge Wind Ensemble will perform Aaron Copland's ``Lincoln Portrait,'' at 8 p.m. Friday at the campus' Performing Arts Center. Tickets are $10 general admission, $7 seniors and $5 students, and are available at the door. On-campus parking is $4.

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(1 -- 2) Aaron Copland's acclaimed orchestral work ``Lincoln Portrait,'' top, will be performed Friday by the wind ensemble at California State University, Northridge, with L.A. County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky, above, providing narration.

David Sprague/Staff Photographer