UW Symphony Orchestra: Salute the Heroes

Показать описание

Katherine Smith, French horn
Paul Phillips, guest conductor

Program:

Valerie Coleman, Seven O’Clock Shout
Paul Phillips, Wave
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart,
Horn Concerto No. 3
Johannes Brahms, Symphony No. 1

We all appreciate the heroics of hospital workers this year. In Philadelphia, people gathered on apartment balconies and steps, daily cheering hospital staff at shift change. That made UW Symphony conductor Michael Griffith think about music and heroism. Since the time of Beethoven’s Eroica symphony, composers have written music to praise others. Can the UWSO put together a concert about heroes? Indeed, that’s just what audiences will hear at this performance.

This new Philadelphia tradition inspired composer Valerie Coleman to write Seven O’Clock Shout, and the Philadelphia Orchestra premiered it a year ago. The piece starts with slow, inspiring trumpet solos; woodwinds play an expectant melody, and then the music breaks into a joyful dance, complete with clapping, shouts, and whistles – just like happened in Philly.

Composer Paul Phillips also had some heroes in his life. After their passing, he was inspired to write Wave in their honor. The music moves in, yes, waves, reminiscent of Philip Glass’ minimalist music. A slower passage quotes Beethoven (a favorite of one of his heroes) and uses Thai gongs to salute another individual, a deeply spiritual person.

Brahms is different. He was afraid to write a symphony, fearing he’d be compared unfavorably to Beethoven. “A symphony is no laughing matter,” Brahms wrote. “You have no idea what it’s like to hear the footsteps of a giant like that behind you.” When he finally wrote his first symphony, the audience could hear the struggle and eventual triumph. Beethoven’s last (and perhaps greatest) work was his Ninth Symphony. Brahms was so successful, his first was nicknamed Beethoven’s Tenth. To Dr. Griffith, Brahms is the hero of his own First Symphony.

The Third Horn Concerto by Mozart is beautiful and fun, though not heroic in character. But the soloist – Professor of Horn Katherine Smith – certainly is. She’s also Principal Horn of the orchestra up in Casper. A major international soloist cancelled at the last minute, and Prof. Smith stepped in with a Mozart Concerto of her own, and saved the concert. Brava, Katherine!

And thus, an entire concert of heroic music and heroic soloists.