Society of Musical Arts Stephen Culbertson, Music Director

Concert Program

Sunday, October 14, 2018 3:0 0 P.M. JCC MetroWest’s Maurice Levin Theater 760 Northfield Ave West Orange, NJ 07052 This program is made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts and administered by the Essex County Division of Cultural and Historic Affairs.

SOMA gratefully acknowledges our grant from Essex County DCHA in the amount of $2,042 for the year 2018.

2 Orchestra October 2018 Stephen Culbertson, Music Director

First Violin Susan Heerema* Laura Paparatto* Paul Erickson* Concert Master Gail Berkshire Dana Bassett Faye Darack Linda Lovestad Heather Fitzpatrick Piccolo Libby Schwartz Emily Thomsen* Mira Franke Lubova Schnable Ivan Miller* Naomi Shapiro Richard Franke* Darrel Frydlewicz Herb Steiner Alice Marcus Bob Ventimiglia Len Tobias English Horn Rich Waldmann Lynn Grice* Joe Christianson* Second Violin Lillian Kessler* Donna Dixon* Barbara Brandyberry Jay Shanman* Theresa Hartman Iolanda Cirillo Phil Cohen Kelly Estrada Bass Clarinet Will Newrock Kelley Fahey Leigh Myers* Deidre Pasquarelli Emilie Schwartz David Olson* Ilona Wanner Karen Kelland* Harp Andrew Pecota Christine Yin Patricia Turse* (Prokofiev & Berlioz) Jessica Frane Piano Roland Hutchinson* (Locklair & Berlioz) Evan Schwartzman* Harry Berkshire Jessica Hughes Katherine Kolibas (Berlioz) / Percussion Peggy LaVake Joe Whitfield* Janet Poland Contrabassoon Evan Chertok Peggy Reynolds Andrew Pecota* Evan Hause Danielle Wilson Brian McKinley

Cello James Celestino* * Principal Megan Doherty Arnie Feldman Helen Kong Joseph Orchard Ben Rabunski

Bass Bob Whiteley* Glenn Brady James Buchanan Matthew Hintz David Shapiro

3 4 Society of Musical Arts Stephen Culbertson, Conductor

Sunday, October 14, 2018 3:00 pm

Please turn off all electronic devices

A Celebration of Michael Tree

Independence Day, from No. 2 “America” Dan Locklair (2017, NJ Premiere)

Trauermusik for Viola & Strings Paul Hindemith Peter Kenote, viola

Overture on Jewish Themes, Op. 34 Serge Prokofiev

~~~ Intermission ~~~

Harold in Italy, Op. 16 Adagio - Harold in the Mountains Allegretto – Procession of pilgrims singing the evening hymn Allegro assai – Serenade of an Abruzzi mountaineer Allegro frenetic – The brigand’s Orgies Peter Kenote, viola

Mark your calendars!

5 Program Notes by Stephen Culbertson Dan Locklair (1949- ) Independence Day, from Symphony No. 2 “America” (NJ Premiere)

The composer writes: My Symphony No. 2 (“America”) unabashedly celebrates America: The Land of the Free. Begun in May of 2015, this three-movement composition was completed in July of 2016 and is scored for a large triple-wind sym- phony orchestra. Approximately 22 minutes in length, each movement is a reflection upon a holiday that is at the heart of America: 1. Independence Day; 2. Memorial Day; 3. Thanksgiving Day. A single, well-known melody associated with the essence of each of these American holidays is heard in each movement.

1. Independence Day. A modified sonata form, this movement of approxi- mately eight minutes in length is as full of energy and excitement as is the freedom-marking holiday it reflects. After an opening fanfare-like idea be- gins the exposition, the rollicking first theme is heard. Marked by great en- ergy, this first theme (although not related in a rhythmical way) is based on the 1882 melody, MATERNA, by Samuel Augustus Ward (1847-1903). Since 1910 this stirring melody has been joined with the beloved 1893 poem by Katherine Lee Bates (1859 -1929), America the Beautiful (a patriotic hymn felt by many to be the unofficial national anthem of the USA). Soon, a soft and lyrical second theme, based on the harmony of MATERNA, emerges. After a repeat of the exposition, a brief development section ensues, which eventually leads to the recapitulation. A coda, with the opening fanfare-like idea in dialogue, returns to end this celebratory first movement.

Paul Hindemith (1895-1963) Trauermusic (Music of Mourning, 1936)

Hindemith travelled to London on January 19, 1936 to perform the Brit- ish premiere of his with Adrian Boult and the BBC Sym- phony. The next evening, King George V died, and the performance was cancelled. The next day, Hindemith spent 6 hours in an office at the BBC and composed a memorial work for broadcast that evening. The composer played the solo with Boult and the strings of the BBC.

The work is in 4 short movements, the last of which quotes the chorale “Vor deinen Thron tret ich hiermit” (Here I stand before Thy Throne). This tune is well-known to Germans through Bach’s harmonization. Hindemith wasn’t aware that English-speaking audience also know the tune as Old 100th: “All People that on Earth do Dwell.”

6 Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953 Overture on Jewish Themes, 1919 orchestrated 1934

Prokofiev left Russia after the Revolution of 1917 and came to New York, then Germany, then Paris before returning to his homeland in 1936. The clarinetist Simeon Bellison asked for a work for his ensemble which was on a world tour sponsored by the Russian Zionist Organization. Bellison gave Prokofiev a notebook of Jewish folksongs as source material. Speculation is that the melodies used by Prokofiev were actually by Bellison, written in a “Jewish” style. The composer reluctantly orchestrated the work in 1934. His letters tell us that it wasn’t one of his favorites, but it has had some suc- cess, especially the chamber version. Incidentally, Bellison became princi- pal clarinet of the New York Philarmonic.

Hector Berlioz (1803-1869) Harold en Italie, Symphonie en quatre parties avec un alto principal (Harold in Italy, Symphony in Four Parts with Viola Obbligato)

The great violin virtuoso Niccolò Paganini acquired a Stradivarius viola and lamented to Berlioz that there was “no suitable music for it.” So, the com- poser set out to write a solo viola piece. What came out was a symphony with a big viola part. Difficult, but not the pyrotechnics one would associate with Paganini, who took one look at the first movement sketches — and all the places where he wasn’t playing — and told Berlioz “no thanks.”

Nonetheless, Berlioz pressed on with fervor and passion. ’s poem Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage, as well as his own travels in Abruzzi in- spired the mood of the work. Critics and scholars have been hard-pressed to find any scenes from the book that are depicted in Berlioz’ music. Rath- er, his stated purpose was “to make the viola a kind of melancholy dreamer in the manner of Byron’s Child-Harold.”

Harold was premiered in 1834. The Procession movement was encored and the work was well-received. Paganini first heard it in 1838 and was so moved that he brought Berlioz to the stage, fell at his feet, and declared him a genius destined to carry on Beethoven’s legacy. The next day Ber- lioz received a bank note for 20,000 francs (the agreed upon fee) from the famous virtuoso.

7 Meet our Soloist

Peter Keynote – viola

Peter Kenote was born in Seattle, Washington. He received his undergraduate degree from the University of Washington and his master’s and doctorate degrees in music performance from The Juilliard School. Since 1983 he has been a member of the viola section. In February 2008 he performed Berio’s Sequenza VI for solo viola at Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Rose Theater as part of the New York Philharmonic’s Day of Berio. In the 2009–10 season he played the premieres of a new viola concerto with the South Dakota Symphony written for him by composer Neal Harnly, and Moto Per- petuo, a new work for viola and percussion ensemble by Braxton Blake. Peter especially enjoys performing in concert with his his wife cellist, Sara Male and his daughters — soprano Rebekah AuY- eung, and mezzo-soprano Ruth Kenote. He plays on a viola made for him in 1977 by David Wiebe.

8 9 Laura Paparatto Flutist

108 Holly Lane Cedar Grove, NJ 07009

973.433.0244 [email protected] Performance Instruction Flute Piccolo Recorder

10 Stephen Culbertson Conductor

Stephen Culbertson, Music Director for the Society of Musical Arts, has conducted over 35 orchestras, opera productions, and ballet companies, ranging from major to community level, in Europe and the United States. Major engagements include a Spoleto USA debut on the 20th-Century Perspective Series and a new production of Prokofiev’s Cinderella for the San Joaquin Ballet in California. In recent seasons, Culbertson has appeared with the Montclair Chamber Orchestra and Orchestra Society of Philadelphia. He has served as Music Director of the Sussex County (New Jersey) Community Orchestra and Associate Conductor of the Bergen (New Jersey) Philharmon- ic Orchestra. With the latter two orchestras, he conceived and conducted a series of family concerts for the community to great acclaim. He served on the board of Unity Concerts of NJ and was its Artistic Director for the 2002-3 season. Culbertson’s most recent activities include leading the New Jersey Reading Orchestra and serving as interim Music Director at the Presbyterian Church of Upper Montclair.

After graduating from University of the Pacific in his native California, Culbertson was awarded a scholarship to study at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki (Finland) with famed conducting teacher Jorma Panula. Dur- ing his five-year stay, he studied the works of Sibelius with the composer’s son-in-law, Jussi Jalas, and conducted most of Finland’s major ensembles: The Finnish National Opera, the Helsinki Philharmonic, The Finnish Radio Orchestra, The Vaasa and Tampere Operas, and the Oulu Philharmonic. In addition to conducting, he gained valuable experience (not to mention much-needed income) by singing in a number of professional choruses, including the Finnish Radio Choir, Savonlinna Opera Chorus and the Helsinki Festival production of Britten’s Church Parables.

Culbertson introduced Finnish audiences to works by Copland, S.R. Beck- ler, John Forsman and many others. He introduced local listeners to Ameri- can music by writing a six-hour series of radio programs entitled A History of American Music for the Finnish Broadcast Corporation. As a guest con- ductor, Culbertson has worked for the Netherlands Opera and appeared in Czechoslovakia (with the Košice State Philharmonic), Italy, Hungary, and England. Culbertson has been a strong advocate of American music as both a conductor and a publisher. In 1993, he co-founded Subito Music Pub- lishing and became its President in 1997. From 1987 to 1992, he was director of the rental and publications departments for G. Schirmer, Inc., where he supervised the music preparation of, among others, John Corigliano’s opera The Ghosts of Versailles (for the Metropolitan Opera) and Symphony No. 1 (for the Chicago Symphony).

11 Membership 2018 – 2019 We thank our members, whose gracious support makes it possible to bring you concerts of fine music, free of charge and open to the public.

Conductor’s Circle: $1,000 and up Silver: $100-$249 (cont.) Rose C. Cali Emilie & Jordan Schwartz Paul Erickson Fidelity Charitable matching Prudential Foundation Dorothy & Jim Sherwood Investors Bank Elizabeth Uptegrove NJ State Council on the Arts Ilona Wanner Essex County administrator Jeanine Wilson A. Michael Noll Kirk Woodward Laura & Sam Paparatto Shirley Li & Mark Yolleck matching BNY Mellon, Pershing Bronze: $50-$99 Dr. Eugene Ehrlich Platinum: $500-$999 Arnold & Marcia Feldman Alice Marcus Gregory Helsel Peggy Reynolds Matthew Hintz Evan Schwartzman and Steve & Sally Janett Sue Kasdon Laura Kramer Peggy LaVake Gold: $250-$499 Karen Lundry Sheila Appel Benjamin Perlmutter Esq. memory of Ed Appel Nancy A. Rosenfield Gail Berkshire memory of Ed Appel Diana Hessinger Sandra A. Skea Radio Technology Museum Herb Steiner Silver: $100-$249 Kirk Woodward Marsha Ann Zimmerman Talda B. Alfonso David Conrad Friends: up to $49 Dita Delman Esther M. Bearg NJ State Repertory Opera Marilyn Brenner Dr. Steven DeVito Erika Cowan Donna Dixon & David Olson Bernice & Peter Fleischmann Arnold Feldman Marion Kaslon Richard Franke Emil & Patricia Neu Lillian Kessler Juan Ryan Nancy Llewellyn David & Susan Solomon NJ Federation of Music Clubs memory of Ed Appel Eugenia Park Ernestine Turkel matching Verizon Foundation Myrna Wasserman Irwin & Blossom Primer

12 Society of Musical Arts who we are The Society of Musical Arts (SOMA) was founded in 1981 by Dr. Samuel Applebaum, New Jersey’s world famous master teacher of the violin. We are continuing Dr. Applebaum’s objectives to provide an opportunity for both amateur and professional string musicians to play baroque and classical music in a chamber orchestra and to present free public concerts with multi-generational appeal to the residents of Essex and surrounding counties.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS

Laura Paparatto Evan Schwartzman Peggy Reynolds President Vice President Treasurer Sabatino Paparatto Innes Bortsel Secretary Publicity Libby Schwartz Member

BOARD MEMBERS Sheila Appel – Hospitality Gail Berkshire – Personnel Manager Bernard Friedland – Grant Writer Shirley Li – Librarian, Stage Manager Alice Marcus – Venues Manager Blossom Primer – Hospitality

www.somaorchestra.org Contact us: phone: (973) 433-0244 email: [email protected] We would welcome more board members! Call us!

13 not just music

In addition to our award winning Sheet Music and Music Book publishing, we also offer: Short-run Digital Printing

Æ Booklets Æ Pamphlets Æ Flyers Æ Posters

B&W and Color Standard sizes up to 13” x 19” Subito Music corporation 60 Depot Street, Verona, NJ 07044 (next to West Essex Building Supply) 973-857-3440 www.subitomusic.com

14 Support our Advertisers! SOMA salutes

Platinum supporter: Investors Bank

Silver supporters: Gail Berkshire Dr. Steven J. DeVito Laura Paparatto, flute instruction, performance The Radio Technology Museum at InfoAge SubitoMusic

Bronze Supporters: David Conrad South Orange Symphony

Thank you!

15 Become a Member!

Your support is very important to us. With your donation we will be able to continue offering our fine concerts free to the public. Young families will be able to share in listening to live classical music without the stress of costly concert tickets. We urge everyone to join us or continue their membership in the Society of Musical Arts by making a tax-deductible contribu- tion at the giving levels suggested below. As a donor, your name will be listed in our program.

Thanks for helping us keep alive Dr. Applebaum’s dream of live classical music by and for New Jersey residents!

Laura Paparatto, President #

Please mail this application along with your check to: SOMA, 110 Gifford Avenue, Jersey City, NJ 07304

Name:______Address:______

Email:______

Friends (up to $49), Bronze ($50-$99), Silver ($100-$249) Gold ($250-$499), Platinum ($500-$999) Conductors Circle ($1,000 & up)

Contributions can also be made via PayPal at our website www.somaorchestra.org click on DONATE

or drop in the fish bowl at the concert