May 6 & 9: Beaufort Symphony presents ‘From Russia (and Hollywood) With Love’
May 6 & 9: Beaufort Symphony presents ‘From Russia (and Hollywood) With Love’
The Beaufort Symphony will end its 2009-2010 season on May 6 and 9 with a program of works of several Russian composers and movie themes familiar to screen buffs and music lovers.
Departing slightly from the orchestra’s usual spring fare, this concert will include some works that are a bit more serious in nature. However, the audience will have no difficulty recognizing the melodies from Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet as well as March Slav. The melody of the latter is probably familiar to young piano students. ‘The Procession of the Sardar’ and ‘Russian Sailor’s Dance’ will round out the music by Russian composers.
Maestro Devyatkin has also selected a suite of Symphonic Dances from ‘Fiddler On The Roof’. These are brimming with action bringing to mind the wild excitement of the Klezmer tradition.
Over the last few years The Beaufort Symphony has been pleased to showcase quite a number of the fine orchestral arrangements of its bassoonist, William Baker. Continuing on the Russian theme, Baker will shine in ‘Lara’s Theme’, from Dr. Zhivago, and the James Bond classic, ‘From Russia With Love’.
Continuing in the Hollywood vein, BSO will offer themes from the movies, Titanic, Anastasia, and ‘More’ from Mondo Cane. Maestro Devyatkin is fond of saying that many of today’s best composers are at work in Hollywood and on Broadway. This collaboration is reminiscent of royal patronage at the time of Mozart and Handel. Certainly, having one’s music in a movie provides a wonderful opportunity for exposure to a vast modern audience.
Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840-1892) was an emergent, but relatively unknown composer of 28 when he began work on Romeo and Juliet. Recently he had met and sought input from Mily Balakirev, the leader of a group of Russian Nationalists who would become known as The Mighty Five. Tchaikovsky wrote and dedicated a composition, ‘Fatum’ (Fate) to Balakirev, which his mentor criticized, offering detailed ideas for improvement.
However, Balakirev suggested a possible work based on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. As this composition took shape, an idea with a spectacularly successful future was born. It took many reworkings and Tchaikovsky relied on the suggestions by Balakirev as it progressed. A new version was performed in 1872, but Balakirev still had doubts about the ending. It was not until ten years later that Romeo and Juliet settled into its final form – the piece we still love to hear over and over more than one hundred years later.
The Beaufort Youth Orchestra, also under the baton of Fred Devyatkin, will join the BSO during the Sunday Matinee. Scholarship winners will be announced at both concerts. Now nearly 50 in number, this talented group of young musicians nearly doubled in the past year. They offer a full symphonic ensemble – including strings, woodwinds, brass, and percussion and maintain a full concert schedule. Their growing skills can be measured by those who were selected to represent the group at regional and state events this year.
The Beaufort Youth Orchestra is fortunate to have Greta and Ron Maddox act as liaisons to the orchestra board, and serve as strong advocates for the young musicians. They are especially passionate about preserving a healthy string presence in Northern Beaufort County. The Orchestra board is grateful for the immense amount of time and energy they give to a cause they care so much about.
If you know a young player who would be interested in auditioning for the Beaufort Youth Orchestra, please contact Greta Maddox at 843-838-8001 or Fred Devyatkin at 912-232-7250.
The Beaufort Symphony Orchestra is busy planning for next season. The orchestra thinks of itself as Beaufort’s great hometown orchestra and looks forward to the community’s continuing loyal support.
Daniel Adni, world-renowned concert pianist, will return to headline the opening concert in October. Subscriptions for 2020-2011 will be available at the May 6 and 9 concerts and following that, information can be found on line at www.beaufortorchestra.org. Subscription seating will be on a first come, first served basis.
Ticketing information:
The Beaufort Symphony Orchestra
Presents
From Russia (and Hollywood) With Love
Frederick Devyatkin, Musical Director
Selections include:
Tchaikovsky – Romeo and Juliet
March Slav, Dances from “Fiddler on the Roof”
Music from “Titanic”, “Dr. Zhivago”, “Anastasia”
USCB Performing Arts Auditorium
801 Carteret Street, Beaufort
Thursday Evening, May 6th, 2010 – 8:00 P.M. – $30
Sunday Matinee – May 9th, 2010 – 3:00 P.M. – $30
Youth Through High School – $5
Tickets may be purchased on the Beaufort Orchestra’s website www.beaufortorchestra.org or
Call Ticket Fusion’s toll free number 1-877-548-3237
Remaining tickets at the door if available
This organization is funded in part by the South Carolina Arts Commission, which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts.
Click here to go to the Beaufort Symphony Orchestra website.
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