Washington Wind Symphony – Con Moto: A Tribute to Andy Robertson

Leonard Bernstein — Overture to Candide
Percy Grainger — Lincolnshire Posy
John Philip Sousa — The Liberty Bell March
John Williams — The March from 1941
H. Owen Reed — La Fiesta Mexicana ("II. Mass")
Malcolm Arnold — Four Scottish Dances

Join the Washington Wind Symphony as we honor and celebrate the life of Andy Robertson -- our beloved friend, band member and Principal Percussionist. Music director, Jacob Scherr, has programmed a special collection of Andy's favorite music as our "thank you" to the countless contributions he made to the band, Redmond High School music students and staff, and the entire Northwest music community. You'll hear:

John Philip Sousa – The Liberty Bell
Known as the "Pied Piper of Patriotism," Sousa composed this popular march in 1893. As his first composition published under a royalty basis, the piece netted him $40,000 over seven years – a tidy sum in those days. You may also recognize it as the opening theme for Great Britain's TV show, Monty Python's Flying Circus.

Leonard Bernstein – Overture to Candide
Bernstein wrote the American classic Candide in 1956, calling it a "comic operetta." Based on Voltaire's satirical novella of 1759, it tells of the misadventures of Candide, a naive and simple young man, and his sweetheart, Cunégonde. Before he died, Bernstein said of his favorite composition, "There is more of me in that piece than anything else I've done."

Percy Aldridge Grainger – Lincolnshire Posy
In this fan favorite, Grainger's six-movement masterpiece portrays English folk songs, recalling melodies he collected as a young man. Listen for the delightful, yet tricky, irregular rhythms and "free time" bars, where the conductor and musicians must interpret the score without the benefit of a marked meter.

John Williams – The March from 1941
Composed for the 1979 comedic film starring the late John Belushi, this zanily patriotic march is said to be one of Steven Spielberg's favorite movie scores by his favorite collaborator, Williams.

H. Owen Reed – "II. Mass" from La Fiesta Mexicana
Inspired by his visit to Lake Chapala, Mexico, Reed quotes the two-against-three rhythm of the church bells that awakened him each morning. The fiesta is a religious celebration where the rich and poor gather within the walls of the old cathedral for contemplation and worship.

Malcolm Arnold – Four Scottish Dances
Originally a trumpeter from Northampton, England, Arnold is known for his uninhibited writing. He based these animated dances on original melodies evoking the music of Scotland. Listen for woodwind instruments imitating bagpipes, and enjoy our bassoonist's interpretation of a tipsy bar patron in the second movement.

Join us for this special program in honor of Andy, an exceptional bandsman who was adored by all. Be sure to buy tickets in advance, or go to our website to reserve your comfortable seat in the Redmond Performing Arts Center.

About Washington Wind Symphony

http://www.washingtonwindsymphony.org/