Spokane Symphony has American Premiere of Nishimura piece

The concert begins with the American debut of Akira Nishimura’s Birds Heterophony, which reflects the mysteries of nature. The orchestra next performs Haydn’s Cello Concerto in D Major, which focuses on the nobility of the cello’s tone. The concert concludes with Symphony No. 2 in D Major by Jean Sibelius, Finland’s greatest composer, whose second symphony is of a generally happy disposition.

The Birds Heterophony by Akira Nishimura is full of music that displays extreme contrasts.  Some of the movements is very soft, light and ethereal, while other sections are very rhythmically driven, powered by drumming ostinatos.  This piece was first preformed in 1993 in Nagoya, Japan, and the performance by the Spokane Symphony on Nov. 8 will be the debut on American soil.  A “Heterophony” is the musical technique of simultaneously combining two or more versions of the same melodic idea.  This technique has been beautifully infused throughout The Birds, and along with its theme of the mysteries of the Cosmos and Nature this performance is sure to be an unforgettable debut.

Franz Joseph Haydn is known as one of the first composers who brought the cello to center stage and his Cello Concerto in D Major is one of the reasons why.  This piece is a departure form Haydn’s typical spontaneous style of composing and instead is truly a piece that highlights the cello and its beautiful tone.  This piece allows the instrument to sing out with its simplicity, while simultaneously allowing the cellist to display her agility and command of the instrument’s full range.       

Recognized for her superlative artistry, intense musicianship and her charismatic performing style, Julie Albers is an outstanding cellist.  Winner of many international awards such as the Grand Prize at the XIII International Competition for Young Musicians in France and the first person named Gold Medal laureate of South Korea’s Gyeongnam International Music Competition.  Recent appearances include performances with the Colorado Symphony, the Cleveland Orchestra and a performance at the Washington DC Voice of America which was heard around the world.   

Jean Sibelius is known as Finland’s greatest composer and wrote Symphony No. 2 in D Major in 1901 while visiting Italy.  At this time in history Finland was under the oppression of the last of the Russian tsars, which served to foster a new sense of Finnish nationalism.  According to Sibelius scholar Erik Tawaststjerna, “Finland found a focus for her identity in the arts” and a primary source of this focus came from Sibelius and his music.  With its predominantly happy and bright mood, Symphony No. 2 is a beautiful piece that serves to entertain as well as paint a historic vision of a free Finland.

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 EasternWashingtonUniversity and Gail and Doug Belanger on behalf of Musicfest Northwest.