Superb Sibelius

Superb Sibelius Friday, May 12 10:30am Join the BPO in welcoming back guest conductor Christopher Wilkins and presenting the Buffalo debut of British pianist Mark Bebbington! Sibelius’ grand Symphony No. 2 forms the centerpiece of this program, as British pianist Mark Bebbington brings the work of often-overlooked English composer John Ireland to Kleinhans. REPERTOIRE Christopher Wilkins, conductor Mark Bebbington, piano WEBER Overture to Der Freischütz IRELAND Piano Concerto in E-Flat Major In tempo moderato Lento espressivo Allegretto giocoso INTERMISSION SIBELIUS Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 43 I. Allegretto II. Tempo Andante, ma rubato III. Vivacissimo IV. Allegro moderato Overture to Der Freischütz: Carl Maria von Weber (1786-1826) Composed in 1820, 10 Minute Duration Weber’s opera Der Freischütz tells the age-old tale of making a deal with the devil in return for favors. In this situation, the protagonists make a deal with a Black Huntsmen in return for seven magic bullets that will always hit their mark. The catch is that bullet No. 7 will be guided by the Black Huntsmen himself. The Overture appropriately establishes all of the main themes of the opera from the ominous sketches and horn music meant to represent the Black Huntsmen to the soaring string and wind melody which represents the hero’s future bride. Piano Concerto in E-Flat Major: John Nicholson Ireland (1879-1962) Composed in 1930, 23 Minute Duration John Ireland’s Piano Concerto features a perfect blend of Romantic timbre and 20th century harmonies. The first movement expresses fragmentation of melodies with string as well as piano solos while the second movement pays lyrical homage to Chopin and Brahms with solo and orchestra interplay. The third movement is most like a tone poem with a playful tone and impression- ist undertones. Symphony No.2 in D Major, Op. 43: Jean Sibelius (1865-1957) Composed in 1901, 43 Minute Duration Sibelius’ Symphony No. 2 has been described as a patriotic piece for the Finnish people. The first movement is quiet and peace- ful, reflecting on the pastoral life of the Finns. The second movement begins with a patriotic spirit though the undertones express worry over harsh authority of the government. The scherzo in the third movement awakens the piece with national pride, encouraging the Finns to defend their rights. The finale draws everything to a close and replenishes hope into their hearts. Page 2 FRIDAY, MAY 12 Page 3 Mark Bebbington (Pianist): Mark Bebbington is an internationally recognized champion of British music. He has given concert and CD premieres of works by major British composers and has recorded over 30 discs for the Somm label. Bebbington completed his John Ireland and Frank Bridge solo piano series: seven CDs which earned him consecutive sets of five stars in BBC Music Magazine, a Gramo- phone Music Magazine ‘Editor’s Choice’, and an International Record Review ‘Outstanding’ accolade. He has toured throughout Central and Northern Europe, the Far East and North Africa. He has been featured on BBC TV and Radio and on other major European networks, and has studied with the legendary Aldo Ciccolini. This year Bebbington will be releasing 20th century British piano music as well as concerto recordings with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. He will tour Europe with the Czech National Orchestra, Israel with the Israel Camerata, and will debut with the San Antonio Symphony in addition to his debut in Buffalo. Christopher Wilkins (Conductor): Christopher Wilkins became Music Director of the Akron Symphony in the fall of 2006. He also serves as Music Director of the Orlando Philharmonic and the Boston Landmarks Orchestra, a summer orchestra that performs weekly on Boston’s Esplanade and throughout Boston. He has guest- conducted many of the leading orchestras of the United States, including Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Cincinnati, Detroit, Houston, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, and San Francisco. He has also frequently appeared with orchestras in Latin America, New Zealand, Spain, and the UK. Wilkins previously served as Music Director of the San Antonio Symphony and the Colorado Springs Symphony. He is currently the Artistic Advisor of the Opera Theatre of the Rockies in Colorado Springs. He helped form and kickstart the Youth Orchestra of the Americas where he served as the resident conductor. Wilkins was winner of the Seaver/NEA Award in 1992. He served as the associate conductor of the Utah Symphony, assisting his former teacher Joseph Silverstein; assistant conductor of the Cleveland Orchestra, as assistant to Music Director Christoph von Dohnányi; conducting assistant with the Oregon Symphony under Music Director James DePreist; and was a conducting fellow at the Tanglewood Music Center. Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra As Buffalo’s cultural ambassador, the Grammy Award- winning Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, under Music Direc- tor JoAnn Falletta, presents more than 120 Classics, Pops and Youth Concerts each year and reaches more than 42,000 K- 12 students per year across Western New York. Since 1940, the orchestra’s permanent home has been Kleinhans Music Hall, a National Historic Landmark designed JoAnn Falletta, Conductor by Eliel and Eero Saarinen with an international reputation as one of the finest concert halls in the United States. BUFFALO PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA Friday Morning Concert Series [email protected] Explore and Learn: Sibelius’ Symphony No. 2 is thought to be a piece that expresses nationalism and patriotism for Finland. It was written in 1901, at a time when Finland was under the control of the Russian empire (Finland later declared independence in 1917). The triumphant nature of the piece, especially the ending, resonated with the Finnish people and was heard by many as a call to rise up and support independence. Can you think of other pieces of music or other artists (from any genre— Classical, folk, rock, hip hop, etc.) that have patriotic or political messages for the listener? Can you identify what the message is? .

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