|
Event
Ukiah Symphony presents, "Romantic Russian Melodies"
Ukiah Symphony Orchestra presents
Romantic Russian Melodies
by Karen Rifkin
The stirring sounds of Romantic, classical music will fill the Mendocino College Center Theater on December 5th and 6th as the Ukiah Symphony Orchestra performs works of great Russian composers Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1893), best known for his ballets "Swan Lake," "The Sleeping Beauty" and "The Nutcracker," and Sergei Vasilievich Rachmaninoff (1873-1943), conductor, composer and virtuoso pianist.
In reaction to the scientific rationalization of nature and in opposition to the rigid forms of classical music that were dominant in this era, the 19th century, European milieu served as an incubator for the birth of Romanticism; taking inspiration from the arts and literature, composers became increasingly expressive and inventive leading to a musical era known for its expression of intense energy and passion. With the reforms of Peter the Great (1672-1725), who opened the doors to Western music fashion, Russian composers embraced the new movement with emotive works comparable to that of their contemporaries on the Continent.
For eliciting deep, emotional feelings, there are few musical scores comparable to the intensely lyrical, first movement of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake Suite. Surprisingly, the ballet's initial 1877 production at the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow was a failure; thinking that the weakness was due to his music, Tchaikovsky rewrote the score but died before completing it. Fortunately for future music lovers throughout the world, Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov recognized the fault was in the choreography, not the music, and prepared a full four-act production that successfully premiered in 1895 at the Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg.
The Swan Melody, the first movement, is followed by Valse, a waltz; Danse des Cygnes (Swans); and Pas d'Action, a harp solo to be played by Anna Maria Mendietta. Three dance pieces followCzardus-Danse Hongroise, the Danse Espagnole and the Danse Napolitaine with a Mazurka, a lively Polish folk dance, concluding the suite.
Following intermission, professional concert pianist Frank Wiens will take to the stage and sit before the college's nine-foot Yamaha concert grand piano and, in accompaniment with the orchestra, perform Rachmaninoff's enduringly popular Piano Concerto No. 2.
Due to scathing reviews, earlier in his career, of Symphony No. 1 (the orchestra was ill prepared) and followed by drinking and depression, Rachmaninoff nearly succumbed to premature, undeserved failure. Rescued by a caring cousin and a doctor's hypnotherapy cure, he completed and performed his Piano Concerto No. 2 in 1901 as the piano soloist and received high praise, restoring his confidence and firmly establishing his fame as a concerto performer.
The piece requires a great deal of give and take between pianist and orchestra, creating a balance between the two, with melodies interwoven into the fabric of the orchestra. The opening movement begins with a series of bell-like tollings on the piano climaxing into the main theme; the second movement opens slowly followed by the development of its main theme with an extensive clarinet solo to be played by Luiz Coelho; and the third and final movement begins with a short orchestral introduction leading into a fast piano solo, culminating with a strong, fast, ecstatic coda.
The concerto is well known and has provided the basis for many popular songs including Frank Sinatra's "Full Moon and Empty Arms"; Eric Carmen's "All By Myself"; and Kurt Weill's "September Song" as well as music to accompany figure skating competitions and Japanese anime.
A few years back, Wiens performed Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 with the Ukiah Symphony Orchestra after which he and Symphony conductor Les Pfutzenreuter discussed future plans for a return.
"The orchestra fell in love with Wiens; it's such a treat to work with him; he's an excellent musician with a great heart," says Pfutzenreuter. "The way he works with the orchestrahis comments and suggestions are so valuable. It's educational to perform with a professional like him; he challenges us to rise to the occasion and improve. It's so important to be able to play with soloists of his professional caliber."
Romantic Russian Melodies will be performed on Saturday, December 5th at 8 p.m. and Sunday, December 6th at 3 p.m. at the Mendocino College Center Theater. Tickets are available at www.brownpapertickets.com; Mendocino Book Company at 102 South School St. in Ukiah; and Mail Center, Etc. at 207A North Cloverdale Blvd. in Cloverdale. Prices are: $25 adults, $20 seniors, and $5 for those under 18 or ASB card holders. For more information call 462-0236. Concert sponsors are Realty World/Seltzer Realty, Savings Bank of Mendocino County, and "In Memory of Esther Stirling."
|
|
 |
LocationMendocino College Center Theatre (View)
1000 Hensley Creek Rd
Ukiah, CA 95482
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: Yes! |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
| Wheelchair Accessible: Yes! |
|
Contact
|
