Seattle Symphony and Music Director Gerard Schwarz are pleased to present the world premiere of Aaron Jay Kernis’ Symphony No. 3, Symphony of Meditations, on Thursday, June 25, at 7:30 p.m. and Friday, June 26, at 7 p.m. at Benaroya Hall.
The work, generously supported by Seattle Symphony patrons Jeff and Lara Sanderson, was written specifically for the Orchestra, and incorporates passages from sacred Hebrew texts written by 11th-century Spanish poet Solomon Ibn Gabirol, translated by world-renowned poet, translator and MacArthur Fellow Peter Cole.
To celebrate the composer’s first symphony premiere in 18 years, Seattle Symphony, in partnership with several local organizations, will host a series of educational events in which both Aaron Jay Kernis and Peter Cole will participate.
The community events leading up to Kernis’ world premiere are geared toward a wide range of interests, and examine topics that revolve around poetry’s cultural and educational significance. On Tuesday, June 23, Cole will lead a workshop for teachers and students on incorporating foreign literature into the classrooms, particularly the great Hebrew poetry that was written in Medieval Muslim Spain. Kernis will also join the workshop to discuss the creative process.
On Wednesday, June 24, Cole will lead a poetry workshop for teenagers that examines the presence of Medieval themes in modern-day works. On Thursday, June 25, Kernis will be joined by Cole, journalist Bernard Jacobson and Seattle Symphony Composer in Residence Samuel Jones for a special Talk Music discussion, open to concert-goers one hour prior to that evening’s performance.
Symphony of Meditations, which is cast in three movements and written for orchestra, chorus, and solo voices, features soprano Hyunah Yu, tenor Paul Karaitis, and baritone Robert Gardner. The texts translated by Cole are often incorporated into Yom Kippur services throughout the world. The words evoke the ungraspable mystery of God and beauty of creation, and wrestle with humanity’s fear of death, the search for solace and peace, and praising of the Divine. -- www.seattlesymphony.org
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