Masterworks IV: Escapades and Temperaments

February 20, 2010
February 21, 2010
The unique and engaging artistry of classical saxophonist Ashu will be featured in two extraordinary works for saxophone and orchestra. Escapades for Alto Sax and Orchestra by the prolific and revered American film composer John T. Williams is a quirky, jazzy, 60’s swaggeringly whimsical piece based on the film score from Catch Me If You Can (2002). Escapades is composed in a concertante style highlighting interplay from a number of orchestra soloists, vibes and bass most notably, with marvelous invention and subtle rhythmic shading. Ashu will also be featured in Fantaisie sur un Thème Original for alto saxaphone and strings (orchestrated Ashu) composed by French 19th century flutist, soloist and composer Jules Demersseman. The Fantaisie is one of several early compositions for saxophone composed for Demersseman’s Parisian friend and inventor of the instrument, Adolphe Sax. The second half of the concert will feature the 20th century Danish composer Carl Nielsen’s Symphony No. 2 entitled “The Four Temperaments”. The second of six symphonies Nielsen’s 2nd is firmly grounded in the late Romantic language of the Germanic/Scandinavian symphonic idiom but exhibits the composers emerging individual language. Composed in 1901-02 and inspired by a painting that he saw at an inn this unique piece attempts to musically portray aspects of each temperament (choleric, phlegmatic, melancholic and sanguine) in each of the symphony’s four movements. It is more of a complete formal symphony with character references rather than a true programmatic work. The music is at times stridently romantic, touchingly nostalgic, buoyant, inward looking and expansively energetic. Nielsen is considered along with Sibelius as two of the most important symphonists from Scandinavia.
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Spring Chamber Music

March 06, 2010
March 07, 2010
Delight in the world of refined chamber music in relaxed casual settings.

The Glacier String Quartet; violinists Sam Taylor, Deborah Ward, violist Jenanne Solberg and cellist Janet Haarvig, cello will once again offer an inviting program of quartet music in addition to a special invited guest.
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Masterworks V: Night of the the Operas

March 13, 2010
March 14, 2010
Join the Symphony and Chorale together on stage for a rousing and dramatic evening featuring music from you favorite operas by Mozart, Mascagni, Mussorgsky, Smetana, Bizet, Verdi and Wagner. The concert will be an opportunity to hear an assortment of great opera choruses and overtures and become familiar with these significant operas and composers. Included will be Triumphal March and Chorus from Aida, The Entrance of the Guests from Tannhauser, The Anvil Chorus from Il Trovatore, and the Easter Hymn from Cavalleria Rusticana.

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Masterworks VI: Passion Poetics

April 24, 2010
April 25, 2010
Our final Masterworks program again features music from two significant pianist composers Chopin and Saint-Saens. The concert however begins with Gabrielle Faure’s delightful orchestral suite Masques et Bergamasques Op. 112. A rather late work it is a musical homage to the 18th century “fetes galantes” composed in 1919 and commissioned by the then Prince of Monaco. We mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of Frederic Chopin and honor this great composer of piano literature with this performance of the Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor Op. 21. This concerto, actually the first of the two to be composed was completed and performed by Chopin in Warsaw in 1830 when Chopin was 20 year old. Appearing as our soloists will be the acclaimed Mexican/American pianist Gustavo Romero who will bring his substantial technique and interpretive insights to this deeply poetic and rhapsodic Chopin work. The Symphony No. 3 in C minor by Camille Saint-Saens is one of his most frequently performed orchestral works composed in 1866 when this prodigious composer and pianist at the zenith of his career. The organ is called upon in two of the four movements but the composer also requires piano four hands in the instrumentation. The work was dedicated to yet one more influential 19th century pianist, Franz Liszt. It is one of the most popular works by this French master and adequately captures the élan and esprit of his times. An orchestral finale in grand style!
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Its a Grand Night for Singing!

May 15, 2010
May 16, 2010
Once again the select Chamber Choir for the Glacier Chorale, directed by Jim Stanard, offers an evening of sophisticated, humorous and glamorous program at the intimate O’Shaughnessy Center in Whitefish.
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