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Event
Ukiah Symphony presents "Copland--America's Composer," featuring Luiz Coelho, clarinetist
Copland-America's Composer
by Karen Rifkin
In a tribute to Aaron Copland, one of the most respected American classical composers of the twentieth century, the Ukiah Symphony will be performing his Quiet City, Clarinet Concerto and Appalachian Spring on Saturday, February 20th at 8 p.m. and Sunday, February 21st at 3 p.m. at Near and Arnold's School of Performing Arts & Cultural Education Theater.
Two Elegiac Melodies, Opus 34 by Norwegian Romantic composer and pianist Edvard Grieg (1843-1907) will be presented during the first half of the chamber concert performance. Written in 1880 and inspired by Aasmund Vinje, a fellow Romantic nationalist, Grieg transcribed two of the poet's pieces for a string orchestra. Musically poignant and tender, the first movement addresses the wounds of life and their inability to destroy faith and the second depicts a season of rebirth with the possibility of not living to see another.
Copland (1900-1990), an American composer, composition teacher, writer and conductor, incorporated popular forms of jazz and folk into his work, creating exceptional and innovative pieces considered to epitomize the sound of American music, evoking its vast landscape and pioneer spirit all the while forging a distinctively American style of composition.
Quiet City (1940), an ode to New York City, a one-movement work for trumpet, English horn, and strings written as incidental music to accompany a play of the same name by Irwin Shaw, is an instrumental meander through the lonely and mysterious world of a city after dark, as the main character, Gabriel, wrestles with his troubled conscience and struggles with middle class guilt over his ever-improving standard of living at the expense of the poor. The piece will feature Beth Aiken on English horn, a double-reed woodwind instrument in the oboe family, larger and with a lower range, and Gary Miller on trumpet.
Copland's Clarinet Concerto, originally commissioned by legendary swing musician Benny Goodman in 1947, will feature Luiz Coelho on clarinet with an instrumental accompaniment of strings and harp. Written in two movements, the first is slow and lyrical, blending an introspective clarinet with strings, and the second is jazzy and contemporary, incorporating popular Latin tunes into the texture.
Of Coelho, conductor Les Pfutzenreuter says, "Luiz has one of the best clarinet sounds I've ever heard, sensitive and expressive, and his warm Brazilian spirit and personality are clearly reflected in his playing."
Appalachian Spring, scored for a thirteen-member chamber orchestra, was commissioned by choreographer and dancer Martha Graham for the ballet in which she appeared in the lead role. It premiered in 1944 in Washington, D.C. and Copland was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Music for this achievement, creating one of the most inspiring and symbolic works of the century.
Initially untitled, Copland referred to it as "Ballet for Martha" and, prior to the premier, Graham suggested Appalachian Spring from a phrase from a Hart Crane poem, The Dance. The story line is of a spring celebration of 19th century, Pennsylvanian, newlywed pioneers after completing the building of a farmhouse.
According to composer Robert Kapilow, the essence of the whole ballet can be heard in the opening chords; he describes the piece as being centered in the earth, descending like sunlight upon a pastoral scene, creating an effect like the flowering of dawn.
One of the melodies, an emotional high point, is based on the traditional Shaker song, Simple Gifts, and throughout the piece Copland weaves melodies that evoke simplicity and the good-natured piety of Shaker culture. Able to capture a vast emotional world, Appalachian Spring has achieved widespread and enduring popularity.
Tickets for Copland-America's Composer at SPACE Theater 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 Ukiah Valley Medical Center; Rich and Jean Craig; and Monte and Kay Hill.
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LocationNear & Arnold's School of Performing Arts & Cultural Education Theater (View)
508 W. Perkins Street
Ukiah, CA 95482
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: Yes! |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
| Wheelchair Accessible: Yes! |
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