Spokane Symphony plays Britain's musical masters

Jan 30, 2008

For Immediate Release

Contact: Annie Matlow 326-3136

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Can German musicians appreciate the musical contributions of Britain? The answer is Yes and Yes, as Maestro Eckart Preu, German cellist Alban Gerhardt celebrate the work four masters of English music on Saturday, Feb. 9 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Feb. 10 at 3 p.m. in the Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox.

The evening begins with a passionate tone poem entitled November Woods by Sir Arnold Bax, a prolific composer who called himself a brazen Romantic. The piece was written in the late-Romantic style for a large orchestra, was at once a portrayal of the stormy weather of late autumn and an expression of the emotional turmoil Bax experienced while pursuing a love affair with a young pianist, Harriet Cohen. The middle section features a pastoral interlude which Bax called a dream of happier days.

Sir William Walton, best known for his many film scores, listed German composer Paul Hindemith as one of the greatest composers of the twentieth century. Walton's salute to Hindemith is an extraordinary showpiece for a virtuoso orchestra. Variations on a Theme by Hindemith, based on a theme from Hindemith's 1940 Cello Concerto with additional references from a theme used in his opera Mathis der Maler, has been likened to a conversation between two composers. It is one of the very finest works of a great twentieth century composer.

Ralph Vaughn Williams spent years collecting English folks songs, revising the hymnal of the Anglican Church, and immersing himself in the music on Elizabethan masters, including Thomas Tallis. He selected a stately melody by Tallis when composing a Fantasia for strings to be performed at the Three Choirs Festival in Gloucester Cathedral. Designed to take advantage of the acoustic qualities of a cathedral, the piece was written for three string ensembles, a large orchestra, a chamber orchestra of nine and a quartet.

One of the masterpieces of the cello literature, Sir Edward Elgar's Cello Concerto is also a powerful, poignant farewell to an era irretrievably destroyed by World War I. The cello, singing with a human-like voice, expresses all of Elgar's regret and nostalgia for his lost past. Although written for a large orchestra, the cello is always in the foreground, singing its song of loss.

Alban Gerhardt has established himself as one of the great cellists of our time, after winning several international competitions and debuting with the Berlin Philharmonic at age 21. His sound is unmistakable, and his interpretations distinguish themselves with great originality. Gerhardt has performed with more than 160 orchestras worldwide, including top European and American orchestras. His extensive repertoire includes more than 50 cello concerti and is active in bringing new works for cello to audiences. His CDs have been highly acclaimed, earning him the ECHO Classic Award in 1998 and 2003. His latest release features a selection of Romantic cello concertos by Schumann, Gernshiem, Dietrich and Volkman. This is a return performance Gerhardt played with the Spokane Symphony in February 2005.

Tickets are $19, $29, $37, and $41. Tickets are available in advance at the Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox Box Office, 1001 W. Sprague, or by calling 509-624-1200. Tickets are also available at all TicketsWest outlets or by calling 1-800-325-SEAT, or on line at www.spokanesymphony.org.

CALENDAR LISTING:
Hail Britannia; Eckart Preu conducts the Spokane Symphony; Alban Gerhardt, cello; Feb. 9 at 8 p.m. and Feb. 10 at 3 p.m. in the Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox. Tickets are $19 to $41; Call the Spokane Symphony Ticket Office at (509) 624-1200; tickets are also available through all TicketsWest outlets or by calling 325-SEAT or 1-800-325-SEAT.