 Choral Symphonic Feast Offered by Mission Chamber Orchestra, San Jose Symphonic Choir, VivaceThe program includes works by Dvořák, Ravel and Vaughan Williams that effectively blend choir and orchestra to great effect. Soloist Roger Wright will be playing Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto no. 1.
Roger Wright Ralph Vaughan Williams’ choral setting of Walt Whitman’s futuristic Toward the Unknown Region opened in 1907 in Leeds to critical acclaim and established Vaughan Williams as an important new composer at the turn of the 20th century. This piece is considered by some to be one of the composer’s most beautiful choral works. In a reprise of the 1958 "The Texan Who Conquered Russia," Texan, Roger Wright will play the piece that made pianist Van Cliburn a celebrity, Tchaikovsky’ Antonín Dvořák’s Te Deum was his first composition performed upon arriving in the United States and his only sacred work during his “American period”. It premiered in 1891 in New York. This joyous work features a solo soprano and solo bass and is effectively a concise choral symphony in four movements. Maurice Ravel’s impressionistic ballet Daphnis et Chloé uses the wordless choral accompaniment and flute to invoke a dream-like portrayal of the classical Greek story of the young shepherd Daphnis’ seduction of Chloe. The ballet premiered at the Théâtre de Chatelet on June 8, 1912, in Paris. The Program Ralph Vaughan Williams Toward the Unknown Region Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto no. 1 in B-flat minor, op. 23 Antonín Dvořák Te Deum, B. 176 Maurice Ravel Daphnis and Chloe Suite no. 2 When: Sunday, March 24, 2012 at 7:30PM Where: California Theatre, 345 South 1st Street San Jose, CA 95113 Title of Event: Stirring Voices Tickets: Advance purchase, phone the Symphony Silicon Valley box office: (408) 286-2600 x23. Tickets can also be purchased at the door while quantities last. Ticket prices are $30 for General Admission, Seniors $25, Students $15 and $10 for children under 12. About Roger Wright The Washington Post in a February 27 review enthused, "Roger Wright put on a program of impressionistic works that was remarkable for its extraordinary freshness, subtlety and originality of thought. It’s hard to over-praise the relatively unknown Wright; his technique is powerful and honed to a razor-like edge, but even more impressive is the rare spontaneity and vitality in his playing and the sense of a voraciously hungry mind." Roger Wright is a winner. In addition to his 2004 first prize at the National Scrabble Championship, he took first prizes in the 1998 Frinna Awerbuch International Piano Competition and the 2003 San Antonio International Piano Competition. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Houston and Master of Music degree as a student of John Perry at Rice University's Shepherd School of Music. He has also pursued doctoral work at University of Southern California Thornton School of Music under Perry. About Mission Chamber Orchestra of San Jose Founded by conductor and musical director Emily Ray in 1996, Mission Chamber Orchestra of San Jose (MCOSJ) is a volunteer orchestra performing professional quality concerts in the South Bay. The 35 to 50-piece orchestra is known for its innovative programming that surprises and delights its listeners. In May 2011, the San Francisco Classical Voice praised MCOSJ’s performance of Beethoven's Seventh Symphony, calling it "thrilling to hear." MCOSJ features world class artists like Jon Nakamatsu as well as emerging professional soloists. MCOSJ has given the world premieres of more than twenty works and the West Coast or South Bay premieres of many others. MCOSJ caters to a broad audience, featuring classical repertoire and modern works by composers from around the world. Select high school musicians are invited to join the orchestra in many of its concerts. About San José Symphonic Choir San José Symphonic Choir is the premier volunteer choral society in California, presenting choral masterworks and contemporary pieces since 1924. It has been under the inspiring leadership of Maestro Leroy Kromm since 1985. The 110-voice choir commissions and performs works by local composers, pieces that bring attention to concerns in our communities. In 1996 the choir performed the world premiere of Requiem For Lost Children by Sondra Clark and, in 2003, participated in the world premiere of Sisters, Craig Bohmler’s work honoring San José and her sister cities. In 2006 the choir produced and performed the world premiere of Beatitude Mass, by Henry Mollicone. To date, performances of Beatitude Mass around the nation, and the choir’s recording of the first performance, have raised over $85,000 to benefit charities that serve the needy worldwide. About Vivace Youth Chorus In 2003, Artistic Director, Peggy Spool, along with a motivated group of parents, founded the Vivace Youth Chorus of San José. Over the last 8 years, Vivace singers have performed throughout the City of San José as well as at choral festivals in and out of state. Local venues have included the Rotunda at San José City Hall, Le Petit Trianon, the San José Museum of Art, the Children’s Discovery Museum, local churches and schools, as well as various retirement homes. Participation in choral festivals in Oakland, San Luis Obispo, Denver, Hawaii and, next summer, in Oregon, gives the young singers the opportunity to share music with new friends in new contexts. For More Information Contact: Ron Bingham, principal Agora Marketing International Tel: 408-375-7382 Email: ron@agorapr.com Mission Chamber Orchestra of San Jose/Santa Clara Valley Performing Arts Association PO Box 32872 San Jose, CA 95152 408-236-3350 Mission Chamber Orchestra # # # Mission Chamber Orchestra of San Jose. Bringing spirited performances of classical and contemporary music to Silicon Valley audiences. Photo: https://www.prlog.org/ End
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