"SONIC TREATS" IN STORE AT MOBILE SYMPHONY ON MARCH 8
Jenine Baines
February 13, 2008
MOBILE, Ala. Over the past few seasons, the Mobile Symphony Orchestra (MSO) has celebrated a number of exciting ´firsts,´ with visits from such world-renowned guest artists as violinist Itzhak Perlman, cellist Yo Yo Ma and, on March 20, violinist Joshua Bell coming most readily to mind. But, on Saturday, March 8, the orchestra will earn yet another merit badge of musical excellence when it presents "Overture to Spring," featuring Mozart´s Overture to The Magic Flute, Kernis´ Simple Songs, and Mahler´s Symphony No. 4 at the Saenger Theatre in Mobile at 8 p.m.
"The big piece on the program is Mahler´s Fourth Symphony, and it´s unquestionably a rite of passage for any orchestra," explains Scott Speck, Music Director of the Mobile Symphony Orchestra.
But what music lovers will especially appreciate, says Speck, is the discovery that "the Fourth is Mahler´s most intimate and most accessible symphony. It´s a sonic treat for the audience," he promises.
Joining the orchestra for the final movement of Mahler´s work is soprano Jayne West. Described by the New York Times as "radiant" and applauded by the Boston Globe as a singer of "uncommon beauty and involvement," West was Speck´s first choice as soloist.
"Jayne comes from Boston, my home town," the conductor explains. "And, whenever the Boston Symphony performs a work requiring a pure, spinning, golden sound, it asks Jayne to come on board to help make that happen. I´m delighted that she´s agreed to share her artistry with Mobile, now, too."
West will also perform Simple Songs by Pulitzer Prize winning composer Aaron Kernis – a work that should appeal to an array of music aficionados. Fans of Aaron Copland and Samuel Barber will recognize what Speck describes as Kernis´ "deep affinity " for both composers´ works. Yet, at the same time, the influence of late-Romantic songwriters like Richard Strauss and Gustav Mahler on Simple Songs is unmistakable as well.
"The audience will leave the theatre that evening with absolutely no doubt that Kernis thoroughly deserves his reputation as one of today´s most celebrated American composers," says Stephen Hedrick, Executive Director of the MSO.
Meanwhile, a composer celebrated throughout the ages by audiences and musicians alike, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, will open the program. Speck, who programmed the Overture to The Magic Flute because it complements the smaller, almost classical feel of Mahler´s Fourth Symphony, admits that he had another reason in mind, however, as well.
"The Magic Flute is a story of honor, purity and righteousness," says Speck. "But, with that, comes a very big helping of fun."
For more information about the Mobile Symphony Orchestra, its performances and educational outreach programs, visit the orchestra´s website at www.mobilesymphony.org. To purchase tickets – which range from $15 to $55 – call 251-432-7080 or order online. The Saenger Theatre is located at 6 South Joachim Street in Mobile.
The Mobile Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1970 as the Symphony Concerts of Mobile. Its mission was to present world-class touring orchestras such as Alabama Symphony, Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and St. Paul Chamber Orchestra for six evening concerts. In 1996, the Board of Directors decided that to serve the educational, quality of life, and economic development needs of the community, it should create its own orchestra of local professional musicians.
Today, the Mobile Symphony Orchestra, under Music Director Scott Speck, is the premier producer of live symphonic music in the Gulf Coast region. It is committed to enhancing the lives of every member of the community by achieving the highest standards in live symphonic music and music education.
"The big piece on the program is Mahler´s Fourth Symphony, and it´s unquestionably a rite of passage for any orchestra," explains Scott Speck, Music Director of the Mobile Symphony Orchestra.
But what music lovers will especially appreciate, says Speck, is the discovery that "the Fourth is Mahler´s most intimate and most accessible symphony. It´s a sonic treat for the audience," he promises.
Joining the orchestra for the final movement of Mahler´s work is soprano Jayne West. Described by the New York Times as "radiant" and applauded by the Boston Globe as a singer of "uncommon beauty and involvement," West was Speck´s first choice as soloist.
"Jayne comes from Boston, my home town," the conductor explains. "And, whenever the Boston Symphony performs a work requiring a pure, spinning, golden sound, it asks Jayne to come on board to help make that happen. I´m delighted that she´s agreed to share her artistry with Mobile, now, too."
West will also perform Simple Songs by Pulitzer Prize winning composer Aaron Kernis – a work that should appeal to an array of music aficionados. Fans of Aaron Copland and Samuel Barber will recognize what Speck describes as Kernis´ "deep affinity " for both composers´ works. Yet, at the same time, the influence of late-Romantic songwriters like Richard Strauss and Gustav Mahler on Simple Songs is unmistakable as well.
"The audience will leave the theatre that evening with absolutely no doubt that Kernis thoroughly deserves his reputation as one of today´s most celebrated American composers," says Stephen Hedrick, Executive Director of the MSO.
Meanwhile, a composer celebrated throughout the ages by audiences and musicians alike, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, will open the program. Speck, who programmed the Overture to The Magic Flute because it complements the smaller, almost classical feel of Mahler´s Fourth Symphony, admits that he had another reason in mind, however, as well.
"The Magic Flute is a story of honor, purity and righteousness," says Speck. "But, with that, comes a very big helping of fun."
For more information about the Mobile Symphony Orchestra, its performances and educational outreach programs, visit the orchestra´s website at www.mobilesymphony.org. To purchase tickets – which range from $15 to $55 – call 251-432-7080 or order online. The Saenger Theatre is located at 6 South Joachim Street in Mobile.
The Mobile Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1970 as the Symphony Concerts of Mobile. Its mission was to present world-class touring orchestras such as Alabama Symphony, Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and St. Paul Chamber Orchestra for six evening concerts. In 1996, the Board of Directors decided that to serve the educational, quality of life, and economic development needs of the community, it should create its own orchestra of local professional musicians.
Today, the Mobile Symphony Orchestra, under Music Director Scott Speck, is the premier producer of live symphonic music in the Gulf Coast region. It is committed to enhancing the lives of every member of the community by achieving the highest standards in live symphonic music and music education.