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Event
Ukiah Symphony Orchestra - Shostakovich!
Press release, written by Jendi Coursey/Indigo Studios, Ukiah, CA
UKIAH, CA The Ukiah Symphony Orchestra presents their fourth and final concert of the 2013-14 season on Saturday, May 17 at 8:00 pm and again on Sunday, May 18 at 3:00 pm, featuring pianist Aaron Ames playing inspiring music by composer Dmitri Shostakovich. The concert will be played at the Mendocino College Center Theatre located at 1000 Hensley Creek Road in Ukiah.
Shostakovich's Piano Concerto No. 2 in F major, op. 102 will entrance the audience as it weaves through three movements: an allegro, an andante, and another allegro. Written for Shostakovich's son Maxim, the concerto was first performed in 1957 and is an uncharacteristically cheerful piece from a composer who lived and worked in the Soviet Union under the Stalinist regime.
Both the first and third movements have a similar structure, each contrasting bright, jaunty tunes against a subtle military beat, complete with snare drum. The first movement contains fiery lines as well as open octaves in the piano, a defining feature of the work. The second movement is considered beautiful for its simplicity and clarity, with only strings, piano, and a single horn performing. Some consider it to be some of Shostakovich's most lyrical writing.
The second featured piece is Shostakovich's Symphony No. 5 in D minor, op. 47. It premiered in 1937 when Shostakovich's fate was tied to his music's success. Failure of the fifth symphony could have resulted in his "disappearance" in the Stalinist purges. Happily for him and for music history, the fifth symphony met with audience members overcome with emotion, rising to their feet during the finale. Shostakovich said the subject was the "suffering of man, and all-conquering optimism." It is played in four movements: moderato, allegretto, largo, and allegro non troppo.
Ukiah's own Aaron Ames will bring Shostakovich to life. Ames is a pianist who grew up in Ukiah before pursuing his university education in music. Beginning with piano lessons under the tutelage of Michael Coughenour at age seven, Ames continued in music through his active participation in wind ensembles and jazz bands during middle school and at Ukiah High. He received his undergraduate degree in Music Performance at the University of the Pacific in Stockton and his master's degree in Music Performance at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. He is currently working as an accompanist at the university and plans to pursue his doctorate of Collaborative Piano.
Tickets for "Shostakovich" are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors, and $5 for youth 18 and under, and are on sale at the Mendocino Book Company at 102 South School St. in Ukiah or at Mail Center, Etc. at 207A North Cloverdale Blvd. in Cloverdale, or online at www.ukiahsymphony.org. The Mendocino College Foundation will be sponsoring a champagne and hors d'oeuvres reception in the Center Theatre lobby prior to the concert at 7:00 pm on Saturday, May 17 and at 2:00 pm on Sunday, May 18. All ticket holders are invited!
"Shostakovich" is made possible by support from Mendo-Lake Credit Union, in memory of Dr. Hugh Curtis, Mendocino Wine Company, and Parducci Wine Cellars. For more information, call the Ukiah Symphony Box Office at 462-0236 or email lespfutz@gmail.com.
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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! |
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