Washington Wind Symphony: Danse Macabre
$10-$20
David R. Gillingham — Apocalyptic Dreams
Johan de Meij — Symphony No. 1 "The Lord of the Rings"
Camille Saint-Saëns – Danse Macabre (trans. Mark Hindsley)
David Gillingham – Apocalyptic Dreams
Johan de Meij – Symphony No. 1, "The Lord of the Rings"
Traditional – Drunken Sailor (arr. Grant Hull)
Help us kick off our fall season at the Kirkland Performance Center with a frightfully melodic afternoon of dynamic music that will set you on the edge of your seat. Dr. Ed Powell conducts the Eastside’s premier wind ensemble in performing several epic and exhilarating works, including:
Danse Macabre – In this Halloween favorite, French composer Camille Saint-Saëns sets an ominous scene for the arrival of the grim figure of Death. Envision ghastly skeletons flying overhead as the xylophone suggests dancing bones, the woodwinds swirl like the wind, and the brass play a gruesome, frenzied waltz. Don’t forget to listen for the 12 chimes announcing that midnight has come.
Apocalyptic Dreams – This dynamic, 20th-century symphony by David Gillingham employs every section of the band to depict both joys and sorrows as the Messiah returns to earth. Gillingham wrote three movements – The Vision, Cataclysmic Events, and Messianic Kingdom – without pauses between to convey momentum and suggest continuous events.
Symphony No. 1, "The Lord of the Rings" – Penned by Dutch composer Johan de Meij between 1984-1987, this popular suite is his interpretation of the famous trilogy written by J.R.R. Tolkien in 1955. Not to be confused with the film score, its monstrous, swelling passages and emotional vignettes will transport you to the mountaintop to help save the world, then escort you safely home.
The movements:
I. Gandalf. A bright fanfare introduces this musical portrait of the stoic, gray-haired wizard. This movement introduces several distinct themes which recur in movements IV and V.
II. Lothlorien. The woodwinds mimic magical birds flitting through the Elvenwood, while the horns lead the low brass in a haunting chorale as Frodo dreams of the (literal) Evil Eye.
III. Gollum. The strange, manacing and mumbling creature (also know as Smeagol) is protrayed by an expressive saxophone solo, as he schemes to reclaim his cherished ring.
IV. Journey in the Dark. Low brass, piano and percussion provide music to trudge by as Gandalf leads the courageous crew through the dark tunnels in the Mines of Morian (Middle-earth). The timpani and horns drive the band to a fever pitch as the heros are chased by the dreaded Orks, then the music cascades down as Gandalf takes an unfortunate fall from the Bridge of Khazad-Dum.
V. Hobbits. Now that the world has been saved, the Hobbits break into a happy folk dance. Finally, de Meij employs the brass to march this suite to a peaceful and noble close as Gandalf and Frodo sail away on a beautiful, white ship.
So join us at the Kirkland Performance Center this Halloween Eve, Sunday, October 30 for a bevy of precious, musical melodies that shall not pass soon from your memory!