SUNDAY, AUGUST 7 ROBERT ALDRIDGE (1954-) Janus Overture: for a new beginning
"JANUS OVERTURE: for a new beginning," was commissioned by the Brevard Music Center for Keith Lockhart and the BMCO, on the occasion of his inaugural concert as Artistic Director, on June 27, 2008. Janus is the Roman God representing beginnings, the guardian of entrances and open doorways. Deference was paid to Janus at the most important beginnings in the life of an individual. This seemed to me a fitting musical way to honor Maestro Lockhart at the beginning of this most exciting adventure as Brevard’s new Artistic Director. The overture is celebratory and joyous, with a brief and reflective middle section (Janus in fact has two heads, one looking forward to the future and one looking back to the past). Thus, in the overture, the Roman God celebrates a new beginning, briefly turns back to look at the past, and then moves forward into an ecstatic future. Its musical material is comprised of the very simplest ‘beginning’ motive I could imagine — an ascending, five-finger scale, from which every successive theme is derived. Janus Overture is published by CF Peters Corporation.
Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. Nothing could better express the unbridled joy and elation felt everywhere that winter. That’s what Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony is really all about, and that 1989 Christmas Day performance might forever be remembered as the most “perfect” performance of this timeless masterpiece. -Siegwart Reichwald
As a gesture of respect, the premiere of Beethoven’s 9th Symphony was codirected by the almost completely deaf composer who received five standing ovation throughout the performance.
- Robert Aldridge
RALPH VAUGHAN WILLIAMS (1872-1958) Serenade to Music
Premiered on October 5, 1938, in London under the direction of Sir Henry Wood. Dedicated to Sir Henry Wood in celebration of his 50th anniversary as conductor, this piece is about the deep joy and beauty found in music. Appropriately, Vaughan Williams chose Shakespeare’s poetic discussion about the music of the spheres from Act V of The Merchant of Venice. Vaughan Williams composed the solo parts for sixteen eminent British singers, making the event all the more special.
LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN (1770-1827) Symphony No. 9 in D minor, Op. 125
Premiered on May 7, 1824, in Vienna under the direction of Michael Umlauf. Beethoven’s last symphony is one of the most iconic and most discussed works in the history of music. It has become the cornerstone of the Romantic movement. From Schumann and Berlioz to Liszt, Brahms, and Mahler — they all refer back to this symphony as their starting point. What is it about this symphony that gave it its elevated status? Is it the expansion of the symphonic genre beyond the confines of absolute music? His successful quest to elevate music into the realm of philosophy? His ability to synthesize the transcendent quality of Romantic music with specific meaning (expressed in words)? The answer is yes to all of the above — and so much more. Fast forward to Christmas Day 1989. Just 45 days after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the symbol of political and cultural division since World War II, Leonard Bernstein wanted to celebrate this historic moment with musicians from East Germany, West Germany, France, Russia, England, and the US. The obvious choice for the occasion:
TEXTS AND TRANSLATIONS VAUGHAN WILLIAMS Serenade to Music
How sweet the moonlight sleeps upon this bank! Here will we sit and let the sounds of music Creep in our ears: soft stillness and the night Become the touches of sweet harmony. Look how the floor of heaven Is thick inlaid with patines of bright gold: There’s not the smallest orb that thou behold’st But in his motion like an angel sings, Still quiring to the young-eyed cherubins; Such harmony is in immortal souls; But whilst this muddy vesture of decay Doth grossly close it in, we cannot hear it. Come, ho! and wake Diana with a hymn! With sweetest touches pierce your mistress’ ear, And draw her home with music. I am never merry when I hear sweet music. The reason is, your spirits are attentive – The man that hath no music in himself, Nor is not mov’d with concord of sweet sounds, Is fit for treasons, stratagems and spoils; The motions of his spirit are dull as night And his affections dark as Erebus: Let no such man be trusted. Music! hark! It is your music of the house. Methinks it sounds much sweeter than by day. Silence bestows that virtue on it How many things by season season’d are To their right praise and true perfection! Peace, ho! the moon sleeps with Endymion And would not be awak’d. Soft stillness and the night Become the touches of sweet harmony.
2016 Summer Institute & Festival
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