Subscription Concert [2] "Music & War"
Sunday, November 11, 2012 - 3:00 PM
Why “Music & War?” Throughout history, music has played a compelling and sometimes confusing role during times of war. For example, certain pieces that are now beloved by many hold a controversial place in history—such as Beethoven's Fifth Symphony (which was used by German forces to symbolize victory), or the music of Wagner, an anti-Semite whose works were championed by Adolf Hitler. There are also composers who wrote musical "responses" to war, as Elgar did in his Cello Concerto, a piece written in response to WWI.
For this concert, we welcome to Bemidji guest artist Wesley Baldwin, cellist, who will be featured on Edward Elgar’s Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85. Dr. Baldwin performs throughout the United States and Europe as a soloist and chamber musician and is a Professor in the School of Music at the University of Tennessee where he received the Chancellor’s Award for Professional Promise. As a member and principal cellist of the New World Symphony, Dr. Baldwin performs with many of the world’s great conductors, and has toured Japan, Scotland, England, Argentina, and Brazil.
Also on the program:
•The Prelude to Act III of Wagner’s opera Tannhauser, composed in 1844 while Wagner was conductor of the Royal Opera House in Dresden.
•Cascarino’s Blades of Grass featuring Gretchen Rusch on English Horn. This work is a heartfelt lament to war inspired by Carl Sandburg’s poem “Grass.”
• The well-known and well-loved Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67 by Beethoven.
Since our concert falls on Veteran’s Day, we would like to honor veterans by inviting them to attend the concert free of charge. Complementary tickets can be picked up at the Beltrami County Veterans’ Service Office at 616 America Ave. NW, Suite 140, or at the door on the day of the concert. We are pleased that Bemidji bass-baritone Joe Vene will join us on stage to sing the National Anthem.
Why “Music & War?” Throughout history, music has played a compelling and sometimes confusing role during times of war. For example, certain pieces that are now beloved by many hold a controversial place in history—such as Beethoven's Fifth Symphony (which was used by German forces to symbolize victory), or the music of Wagner, an anti-Semite whose works were championed by Adolf Hitler. There are also composers who wrote musical "responses" to war, as Elgar did in his Cello Concerto, a piece written in response to WWI.
For this concert, we welcome to Bemidji guest artist Wesley Baldwin, cellist, who will be featured on Edward Elgar’s Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85. Dr. Baldwin performs throughout the United States and Europe as a soloist and chamber musician and is a Professor in the School of Music at the University of Tennessee where he received the Chancellor’s Award for Professional Promise. As a member and principal cellist of the New World Symphony, Dr. Baldwin performs with many of the world’s great conductors, and has toured Japan, Scotland, England, Argentina, and Brazil.
Also on the program:
•The Prelude to Act III of Wagner’s opera Tannhauser, composed in 1844 while Wagner was conductor of the Royal Opera House in Dresden.
•Cascarino’s Blades of Grass featuring Gretchen Rusch on English Horn. This work is a heartfelt lament to war inspired by Carl Sandburg’s poem “Grass.”
• The well-known and well-loved Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67 by Beethoven.
Since our concert falls on Veteran’s Day, we would like to honor veterans by inviting them to attend the concert free of charge. Complementary tickets can be picked up at the Beltrami County Veterans’ Service Office at 616 America Ave. NW, Suite 140, or at the door on the day of the concert. We are pleased that Bemidji bass-baritone Joe Vene will join us on stage to sing the National Anthem.
All concerts are held at the Bemidji High School Auditorium. Join us after each concert for a brief post-concert conversation with conductor Beverly Everett and BSO's guest artists and composers. All Tickets are for general admission seating. All concerts are at the Bemidji High School Auditorium, 2900 Division Street West, Bemidji, MN. Directions
