Casual Classics begin European tour at Venice

Oct 28, 2009

For Immediate Release

Contact: Annie Matlow - 464-7071

SPOKANE—  Music Director Eckart Preu will lead the Spokane Symphony and audiences on a magical tour of the music of Venice, the first in the Casual Classics series entitled Sounds of Cities, at the Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox on Friday, Nov. 6, at 8 pm. The concert will also feature the Spokane Symphony Chorale, directed by Dr Julián Gómez Giraldo, and solo performances by Spokane Symphony violinists Mateusz Wolski, Jason Bell, Amanda Howard-Phillips and David Armstrong.

This season, the Casual Classics will take listeners on a musical tour of three great European cities, including Venice, Prague and Paris. Venice, which is well known for its romantic squares, bridges and palaces, was a key center in the Italian Renaissance, and its transition into the Baroque period, establishing a great musical heritage.

The orchestra and the Spokane Symphony Chorale will play selections of the sacred music that was a vital part of Venice’s musical culture, beginning with a selection from Giovanni Gabrieli (1551-1612), whose work was foundational to Venice’s musical fame. As the organist of Saint Mark’s Basilica, Gabrieli specialized in vocal and instrumental sacred music. Canzon Primi Toni a 8, C. 170 is a clear example of the composer’s mastery of using separate choirs of instruments on opposite sides of the space to create dramatic dynamic and special effects.

Like Gabrieli, Antonio Lotti (1667-1740) spent much of his career at Saint Mark’s Basilica. In addition to composing a large number of sacred pieces, he composed madrigals and 30 operas. His work was important in the transition from Baroque to the emerging Classical style, and influenced the work many composers of the period, including Bach and Handel. His Crucifixus a 8 breaks the rules of conventional harmony, and is thought to be the first atonal piece. The orchestra will also perform his more harmonious Crucifixus a 10.

Gregorio Allegri (1582-1652) was a composer from the Roman School of Music. The Chorale will perform his most noted work, Miserere mei, Deus, an sacred choral work of such exquisite beauty that the Pope forbade its performance anywhere outside the Sistine Chapel.

Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643), another great Venetian innovator during the transition to Baroque music, wrote Orfeo, the first recognizable opera. The orchestra will play the Sinfonie e Ritornelli, a short orchestral peace that is played during the prelude and is repeated throughout the opera.

Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971) had special relationship with Venice, frequently performing at the city’s music festival; although he died in New York City, he was interred on the Venetian cemetery island of San Michele. For Stravinsky, the city represented inner unity and true harmony within the soul. In tribute to this adoptive son, the Symphony will perform two sacred songs based on the Latin text of Catholic liturgy, and the Concerto in E-flat, “Dumbarton Oaks,” which is numbered among Stravinsky’s masterpieces.

The concert will culminate with the Concerto in B minor for Four Violins and Orchestra by Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1748). One of Venice’s most best known composers to modern audiences, Vivaldi was an excellent violinist and wrote a vast body of music for the instrument. The four solo parts will be played by Spokane Symphony musicians Mateusz Wolski, Jason Bell, Amanda Howard-Phillips and David Armstrong.

Mateusz Wolski is in his third year as the Spokane Symphony’s concertmaster, and has had a distinguished career in the United States and abroad. Jason Bell is currently the Associate Concertmaster of the Spokane Symphony and has played with the organization since 2002. Violinist Amanda Howard-Phillips joined the Spokane Symphony in 2003 and was awarded the position of Principal Second Violin in 2008. David Armstrong was recently named assistant principal second violin for the Spokane Symphony.

Director of Orchestras at EasternWashingtonUniversity, Dr Julián Gómez Giraldo has served as Interim Director of Orchestras, Professor of Choral Activities and Director of Choral Music Education at the University of Northern Colorado. He is also a composer and arranger, with several of his instrumental and choral works published by Hal Leonard.

Once again, the First Avenue Art Deco Bistro will be serving a selection of Happy Hour appetizers and beverages, prepared by GloverMansion chefs, from 6:30 p.m. to concert time. Selected items can also be preordered before the concert and be waiting for intermission. In addition, pre-paid parking may be purchased through the Spokane Symphony Ticket Office

Tickets are $21, $23, $28, and $32. Subscriptions for the full Casual Classics series, which includes three concerts, are $48, $54, $66 and $81.  Tickets and subscriptions are available in advance at the Spokane Symphony Ticket office, 1001 W. Sprague, or by calling 509-624-1200. Single tickets are also available at all TicketsWest outlets or at spokanesymphony.org.

This concert has been underwritten by Banner Bank and by Phyllis Kelsch.