The Washington Wind Symphony presents “Ventus Festum”
$10-$20
Joseph Schwantner — From a Dark Millennium
Jonathan Newman — Moon By Night
Norman Dello Joio — Fantasies on a Theme by Haydn
Percy Grainger — Immovable Do
Ottorino Respighi — Vetrate di Chiesa ("Church Windows")
John Philip Sousa — The Gladiator
Dr. Julia Tai, guest conductor
Higdon – Fanfare Ritmico
Schwantner – From a Dark Millennium
Newman – Moon by Night
Dello Joio – Fantasies on a Theme by Haydn
Grainger – Immovable Do
Respighi – Vetrate di Chiesa (Church Windows)
Sousa – The Gladiator
In case your Latin is a bit rusty, this concert's theme translates into "Wind Festival," and that's the experience you can expect on January 31. With Dr. Ed Powell away on tour, accomplished guest conductor Dr. Julia Tai, music director of Seattle's Philharmonia Northwest, has programmed a memorable musical collage that is sure to leave you wanting more.
Join us at Kirkland Performance Center to celebrate a dazzling array of wind band repertoire, including:
➢ Fanfare Ritmico — From the very first measure, composer Jennifer Higdon grabs your attention using timpani and the entire percussion section to create a riveting stereo effect, followed by flute flourishes and punctuating brass. In her own words, multiple Grammy-winner Higdon explains, "This fanfare celebrates the rhythm and tempo of life."
➢ From a Dark Millennium — First performed by the Northern Illinois University Wind Ensemble in February of 1981, this dynamic work was created by Joseph Schwantner, a Pulitzer Prize winning composer and poet. Known for his skill as an orchestral colorist, Schwantner requires a harp and a duo of pianists to perform this dramatic musical portrait.
➢ Moon by Night — With its title derived from a quote in Psalm 121 of the King James Bible, this hymn-like tone poem was written by active wind band composer Jonathan Newman. Notably, Newman is one of four composers in a consortium that includes Eric Whitaker, Steven Bryant and Jim Bonney, all of whom studied at the Julliard School of Music.
➢ Fantasies on a Theme by Haydn — In three movements, Norman Dello Joio interprets Haydn with humor and delightful lyrical treatments. Born of a long line of church organists, Dello Joio studied with composer Paul Hindemith at the Yale School of Music.
➢ Immovable Do — Percy Grainger's playful creativity and masterful command of the musical staff are on full display in this rich, melodic work that he composed in the 1930s. (By the way, that's "do," as in do-re-me…)
➢ Vetrate di Chiesa (Church Windows) — Popular Italian composer Ottorino Respighi based the first three movements of this piece on Gregorian chants, inspired by his musician-wife who had recently studied these harmonic and sometimes haunting melodies. Each movement represents Respighi's impression of a famous stained-glass window.
➢ The Gladiator — At the time he composed this march in 1886, John Philip Sousa was leader of the United States Marine Band. The piece was so catchy and popular, it sold more than one million copies of sheet music—a record at that time. While other Sousa marches achieved greater popularity, The Gladiator is still regarded as Sousa's first success.
So come in from the cold and find a seat in the cozy Kirkland Performance Center to enjoy one of the most interesting musical menus you'll hear anywhere.
Tickets: $20 ($15 seniors,$10 youth)