Music for symphony and voice sparkles under Mendelssohn's touch

Dec 3, 2008

For Immediate Release

Contact: Annie Matlow 326-3136

SPOKANE— Music Director Eckart Preu has planned an exploration of the music of Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) for the second of the Casual Classics Anatomy of a Composer series, at the Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox on Friday, Dec. 12, at 8 pm. The Spokane Symphony will be performing with the Spokane Symphony Chorale, directed by Dr. Lori Wiest, and soprano Dawn Marie Wolski.

An Anatomy of a Composer – the Good, the Bad and the Jealous promises to give listeners the whole scoop on what was going on when some of the world’s greatest music was written. In addition, the Art Deco Bistro will be inaugurated in the Founders Gallery of the Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox. A selection of Happy Hour appetizers and beverages, prepared by Glover Mansion chefs, will be served from 6:30 p.m. to concert time. Those who subscribe to this exciting series will get a free t-shirt; those wearing the Anatomy of a Composer t-shirt will get $1 off their first glass of their favorite beverage!

Mendelssohn was a prodigy, often compared with Mozart by contemporaries, who played his first concert at age 9 and composed prolifically throughout his childhood. Overture to A Midsummer Night’s Dream, his first masterpiece, was composed when he was only 17, and is considered one of the finest overtures in the repertoire.

Many of Mendelssohn’s greatest works were written for voice, and this concert features a generous selection to be performed by the Spokane Symphony Chorale and Wolski. “Verleih’ Uns Frieden” (Grant to us Thy Peace) is an exquisite motet based on a text by Martin Luther. A second choral selection,  “Abschied vom Walde” (Farewell to the Forest), will be performed a cappella. “Schlafe Liebchen” (Sleep, Darling), also called “Abendständchen” (Evening Serenade), with text by Joseph von Eichendorff, is performed by a men’s chorus. Finally, the lyrical “Hor Mein Bitten” (Hear My Prayer) will be sung by Wolski and the Spokane Symphony Chorale.

A recent winner of the 2008 Zara Dolukhanova International Art Song Competition (Russia), soprano Dawn Marie Wolski's clear, brilliant tone has been delighting audiences throughout the opera, operetta, and concert worlds alike.  A graduate of Manhattan School of Music, critics have described her performances as "exquisite" (Opera News) and "ravishing, all the way up to a crystal clear high D” (Classics Today).  A native of Washington, D.C., Ms. Wolski served an active duty member of The United States Military from 2001-2006, touring with The United States Army Field Band of Washington, D.C. Ms. Wolski has recently returned to civilian life and resides in Spokane with her husband, Spokane Symphony concertmaster Mateusz Wolski.  Recent local engagements have included solo appearances with the Spokane Symphony, the Oregon Mozart Players, the Coeur d'Alene Symphony, Spokane Opera, OperaPlus!, Allegro: Baroque and Beyond, the Spokane String Quartet, and Connoisseur Concerts. 

Preu will round out this exploration of Mendelssohn’s music with his Symphony No. 3, known as the “Scottish” since it is intended to evoke the atmosphere of the Scottish countryside. He began his notes for this symphony during his trip to Scotland in 1829, and continued making revisions until 1942, long after the completion of his fourth and fifth symphonies. The work was first published in 1942 as a piano duet, with a full orchestral arrangement published the following year. The symphony was dedicated to Britain’s Queen Victoria, one of Mendelssohn’s most enthusiastic supporters.

Tickets are $19, $21, $26, and $30.  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.