VSO celebrates the holidays – and America
Classic, carols, pops and brass
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Robert De Cormier will lead the Vermont Symphony Orchestra and VSO Chorus in its annual VSO Holiday Pops concert at the Barre Opera House on Dec. 12. Courtesy Vermont Symphony Orchestra |
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Times Argus Staff - Published: December 5, 2008
The Vermont Symphony Orchestra is presenting three programs, beginning Saturday with its second subscription concert of the season, followed by two different holiday programs that will be presented in various parts of the state.
The VSO continues its celebration of "Music of Our Time," Saturday at 8 p.m. at Burlington's Flynn Center for the Performing Arts. The second in the 2008-2009 series features three popular works composed in America in the early 1940s: Aaron Copland's Four Dance Episodes from his ballet "Rodeo," Gershwin's "Porgy and Bess: Symphonic Picture" and Béla Bartók's classic Concerto for Orchestra. VSO principal guest conductor Anthony Princiotti will conduct.
The VSO will also ring in the holiday season with two traditional programs in music halls around the state, beginning with the Barre Opera House on Friday, Dec. 12. The annual VSO Holiday Pops concert celebrates the season with the VSO Chorus in the program "Rejoice!" conducted by Robert De Cormier and Dawn Willis, with soprano Indra Thomas as soloist. Performances are Friday, Dec. 12, at 7:30 p.m., at the Barre Opera House; Saturday, Dec. 13, at 7:30 p.m., at the Flynn Center in Burlington; and Sunday, Dec. 14, at 3 p.m., at the Paramount Center in Rutland.
The VSO Brass Quintet and Counterpoint offer a special holiday program, this year conducted by Roger Grow. This classic music of the season will be performed in four charming settings: Thursday, Dec. 18, at 7:30 p.m., at the Warren United Church; Friday, Dec. 19, at 7:30 p.m., at the Brandon Congregational Church; Saturday, Dec. 20, at 5 p.m., at The White Church in Grafton; and Sunday, Dec. 21, at 4 p.m., the First Congregational Church in Manchester.
Composed in the 1940s, "Rodeo" was written by American composer Aaron Copland in 1942 after the success of his first great western ballet, "Billy the Kid." "Rodeo" is unique in the extent to which it incorporates traditional American folk tunes virtually intact within the score. Copland's music reflects the weekend rodeo in the American Southwest where cowhands show off their skills and compete in romantic pursuits. Choreographer Agnes de Mille playfully called this lighthearted theme "The Taming of the Shrew — cowboy style." Copland, born in Brooklyn, N.Y., in 1900, was a teacher, lecturer, critic, writer, conductor and accomplished pianist. His music created a balance between modern music and American folk styles. Copland, who once was a guest conductor with the VSO, died in December 1990.
George Gershwin was born in Brooklyn in 1898. A pianist and jazz musician, his most ambitious composition was "Porgy and Bess," composed in 1935. Called by some a "folk opera," it is widely regarded now as the most important American opera of the 20th century, combining elements of popular music of the day, strongly influenced by black music. Gershwin died of cancer in 1937 at the age of 38. American composer and arranger Robert Russell Bennett, arranged "Porgy and Bess: A Symphonic Picture," drawing on melodies from Gershwin's opera, in 1942.
Hungarian born composer Béla Bartók was one of the greatest composers of the 20th century. Through his study of the themes and rhythmic patterns of Hungarian folk music, he developed his own distinctive style and became one of the founders of ethnomusicology. Bartók fled in exile to America in 1940. Conductor Serge Koussevitzky commissioned the Concerto for Orchestra in 1942 and the Boston Symphony Orchestra premiered the work in December 1944. It soon became Bartók's most popular piece. Bartók died in New York in 1945 at the age of 64.
A pre-concert discussion, "Musically Speaking," hosted by WCVT's Brian Harwood will be held at 7 p.m. at the Flynn Center, free for members of the audience. The discussion will feature Anthony Princiotti and David Ludwig, VSO composer-in-residence, providing insight into the music, composers and musicians themselves.
The heartwarming VSO Holiday Pops program, narrated by Vermont composer Peter Hamlin of Middlebury, includes folk favorites and seasonal classics: the African-American work, "Glory and Honor," arranged by Robert De Cormier; a movement from Donald Fraser's "Christmas Symphony"; Braintree composer Gwyneth Walker's "Rejoice"; Peter Hamlin's "Christmas with Mr. Grump"; and concludes with the "Rejoice" and "Hallelujah Chorus" from Handel's "Messiah." The time-honored audience sing-along is a favorite part of the holiday concert.
The VSO Brass and voices of Vermont's professional vocal ensemble, Counterpoint, alternate and join forces in a rich range of festive repertoire, including traditional carols, Renaissance dances, a new arrangement of "Hodie" by Tom Vignieri, and a virtuosic showstopper, "The Canadian Noël."
Again this year, holiday audiences may also enjoy VSO music at home, on CD. The VSO offers the VSO Brass and Counterpoint of "Christmas in Vermont," with organist David Neiweem. It's available at concerts and through the VSO office for $15 with a $3 handling and shipping charge.