Spokane Symphony explores the colors of Russian music

Sep 24, 2008

For Immediate Release

Contact: Annie Matlow 326-3136

SPOKANE—The Music Director Eckart Preu will lead the Spokane Symphony and violinist Stefan Jackiw in an exploration of three great Russian composers, each with very different styles and personalities, at the Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox on Saturday, Oct. 4, at 8 pm and again on Sunday, Oct. 5, at 3 pm.

The concert begins with Prokofiev’s The Love for Three Oranges, which reveals the composer’s ironic wit. The orchestra next performs Stravinsky’s Violin Concerto, written in his neoclassical style, one of several that he experimented with over the years. The concert concludes with the Second Symphony by Rachmaninoff, the great Romantic, whose music draws its power from soaring, rapturous melodies.

The Suite for the Love of the Three Oranges was composed by Sergei Prokofiev while he was fleeing from the chaos of the Russian Revolution. Hoping to establish himself in the United States, he contracted with The Chicago Opera to write an opera based an 18^th century play be the same name (by Carlo Gozzi). Unfortunately, the American public where not ready for this parody of operatic conventions and its acerbically witty score; Prokofiev concluded that the US was not ready for him and retreated to Paris.

Igor Stravinsky’s Violin Concert is jewel of the composer’s neoclassical style, where he looked to the work of Bach as his inspiration. The piece develops a chamber-music-like relationship between the soloist and the orchestra, focusing on the combination of the two rather than showcasing the violist’s virtuosity – although it has its share of technical challenges for the soloist.

Sergei Rachmaninoff, a Russian musician from the late 19th Century, is considered one of the most gifted musicians of his generation.  Not only was Rachmaninoff a composer, but also was known as a great pianist and an operatic and symphonic conductor.  His Second Symphony debuted in 1908 to outstanding reviews; Konstantin Kuznetsov praised it saying, “So direct and sincere are its themes, and so naturally and spontaneously do they develop.”  Rachmaninoff once said that, “Music must first and foremost be loved.  It must come from the heart, and it must be directed to the heart.  Otherwise, it cannot hope to be lasting, indestructible art.”  This philosophy is clearly evidenced in the beautiful and elegant movements of The Second Symphony.

Recognized as one of the most significant artists of his generation, violinist Stefan Jackiw made his European debut in 2000 in London to great critical acclaim. His sensational performance was featured on the front page of The Times, and The Strad reported, “a fourteen-year-old violinist took the London music world by storm.” Jackiw has since gone on to give performances around the world, including his debut with New York Philharmonic in 2007. Preu commented that Jackiw is a phenomenal musician. Jackiw appears by arrangement with Opus 3 Artists.

Tickets on Saturday are $22, $32, $40, and $44. Tickets on Sunday are $18, $28, $36, and $41. Tickets are available in advance at the Spokane Symphony Ticket 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 at spokanesymphony.org.

This concert has been underwritten by Don Herak and family on behalf of GonzagaUniversity.