The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra under the direction of acclaimed guest conductor Gerard Schwarz presents a program titled "Russian Nights,"Â beginning with the revered Russian Easter Overture by master colorist Rimsky-Korsakov. Other pieces on the program include Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet Overture - Fantasy, and Dmitry Shostakovich's Symphony No. 11, his testament to the tragic events of 1905.
The concerts are at Kleinhans Music Hall on Saturday, March 31 at 8 PM and Sunday, April 1, at 2:30 PM. This M&T Bank Classics Series concert is sponsored by M&T Bank. Rimsky-Korsakov 's picturesque Overture contains the full essence of the spirit and mysticism of Eastern Europe as it serves to express all that the passion and wonder that Easter provides.
From his writings we learn the piece moves from the promise of the resurrection found in the Old Testament to the ominous mystery of Holy Week, and on to "the unbridled pagan-religious merry-making on the morn of Easter Sunday."Â The music continues, to and fro, from solemn intonations to fiery dash, from tenderness to brazen panache at the close.
For his 1880 setting of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, Tchaikovsky crafted a genuine tone painting, selecting several scenes for his symphonic canvas to focus upon the emotive power of the young lovers. Moving from breathless solemnity in the character of Friar Lawrence, the music proceeds with ever increasing agitation to the strife and bitter rivalry between the Montagues and Capulets. A radiant melody captures the rapture of the innocent lovers, with their tragic end marked by an elegiac coda. The music of Dmitry Shostakovich sings directly from the heart of his native Russia.
Each of his fifteen symphonies is a reflection of personal or national struggle for hope and joy despite tragic events. Completed in 1957, Symphony No. 11 is scored in one continuous movement, and concerns a powerful and ominous moment in Russian history. Beginning with the bleak beauty of a foreboding dawn, the piece moves with an overwhelming stormy urgency to the deathly sounds of guns and strife. A sadly lyrical theme marks a requiem of unbridled loss, with the flight from horror reflected in the garish, blustery close. Shostokovich quotes various folk-songs throughout his Opus, which serve as a constant reminder of upon what soil these tragic events occurred.
Gerard Schwarz celebrates his 22nd season (2006-07 season) as Principal Conductor of the Seattle Symphony. Devoted to the music of our time, he has earned praise worldwide for the compelling sensitivity and extraordinary depth he brings to his vast repertoire. Maestro Schwarz has helped to build numerous orchestras, including Lincoln Center's Mostly Mozart Festival, the New York Chamber Symphony, the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and the Tokyo Philharmonic. In Seattle, he continues his unprecedented devotion to the artistic growth of the Symphony.
His proudest accomplishments are the Orchestra's extensive educational programs for children and adults, increased subscription concerts, new series and acclaimed festivals. Born to Viennese parents, Schwartz is a graduate of The Juilliard School. He holds honorary doctorates from The Juilliard School, Seattle University, the University of Puget Sound, Cornish College of the Arts and Fairleigh Dickenson University, as well as an Honorary Fellowship from John Moores University. -- www.bpo.org
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