It is my great pleasure to announce the upcoming programs of the CYS for March of 2008. We have chosen repertoire that spans both the centuries and the globe, and I’m also excited to be able to perform as both conductor and soloist in these programs.
We will begin this concert with a perennial favorite—Mozart’s Eine kleine Nachtmusik, or ‘ A little Night Music’. Originally scored for string quartet, this serenade contains several of Mozart’s most famous melodies, and captures elements of song and dance throughout. The Karl Stamitz Duo Concertante, to my knowledge, has not been performed in Denver before—it is a classical work full of charm and singing melodies. Margaret Gutierrez is a wonderful violinist as well as a dear friend, and we are grateful to her as she joins me on the viola and the CYS for this performance.
The second half of the Lakewood program is all 20th century music. The Hindemith Trauermusik (Music of Mourning),was written in just a few hours upon arriving in England and hearing of the Death of their king. It is a short, deeply expressive work.
The first Concerto Grosso of Ernest Bloch is modeled after the baroque concerto grosso, with a small group (concertato) and large group (ripieno) playing within the same ensemble. There is a prominent keyboard part, and we are happy to have April Travers sharing her talents with us again.
On March 9th we will present the chamber version of Appalachian Spring by Aaron Copland. This work is best known in its version for full orchestra by the composer, but it was originally written for an ensemble of 13 players. Commissioned only as a ballet for Martha Graham, with no clear subtext, this work stirs the American spirit with each tune. For this work we are joined by wind players from the Lamont School of Music (Andrew Dykema and Jonathan Gresl), flutist Kaitlin Smith and pianist April Travers.
I hope that we will see you at one of our performances of this remarkable music!!!
Cheers, Basil