English Symphony Orchestra - American Rhapsody at Holy Trinity Church, Hereford on Saturday 18th February 2023

Please note: This concert is in the past and has already taken place.

English Symphony Orchestra - American Rhapsody

Add to my Calendar 18-02-2023 16:00 18-02-2023 18:00 36 English Symphony Orchestra - American Rhapsody Some of the most admired and popular American music of the twentieth century is to be performed as part of a programme entitled ‘American Rhapsody’ to be given by the Worcester-based English Symphony Orchestra (ESO) under their conductor, Kenneth Woods. Tickets are priced at £22.50 or free for under 18s, and Carers are provided with a complimentary ticket when accompanying another concertgoer in need of assistance and with a paid ticket. Joining the ESO to perform George Gershwin’s ever-popular Rhapsody in Blue, will be outstanding young pianist, Roman Kosyakov, who remains on stage to perform in Dismal Swamp by William Grant Still; a prolific composer of operas, ballets and symphonies. Still’s concern with the position of African Americans in U.S. society is reflected in many of his works and his symphonic poem of 1937 for orchestra and piano combines eerie and mysterious effects portraying ‘The Great Dismal Swamp’; an area known as a safe haven for runaway slaves. Also featured in the programme is one of the most recognisable pieces for string orchestra written by any composer; Samuel Barber’s ‘Adagio for Strings’ was transcribed from his String Quartet and has found fame through film and television and performance on solemn state occasions. Aaron Copland, who is possibly the composer most associated with the quintessential ‘American sound’, is represented by two works; the haunting ode to New York; Quiet City, for cor anglais, trumpet, and piano, and in the prize-winning music for the ballet Appalachian Spring of 1944; the story of a 19th century pioneer celebration set around a farmhouse in the Pennsylvania hills. Copland initially scored the ballet for 13 instruments – flute, clarinet, bassoon, piano, four violins, two violas, two cellos and double bass – to fit into a small orchestra pit, and revived the version much later on, saying “the original instrumentation has a clarity and is closer to my original conception than the more opulent orchestral version.” The ESO is performing an extended version Copland made for his final recording of the work in the 1970’s which restores about seven minutes of music cut from the well-known Suite. “Appalachian Spring is the great humanistic masterpiece of American music,” says conductor Kenneth Woods, who was born in Wisconsin and studied at Cincinnati University. “It’s hard to think of a work closer to my heart, or one I’ve had a longer or more meaningful journey with. Conceived in times as difficult as our own, Copland’s vision of a loving community is one we can all be inspired by.” WHO IS PERFORMING? Roman Kosyakov is an international multi-award winning Russian pianist, including the winner of the prestigious Royal Philharmonia Orchestra Prize and the Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition. He made his debut at the age of 12 performing Mozart’s Concerto No.23, and his first recording, featuring works by Liszt, was released in 2020. ESO patrons may recall Kosyakov’s performance of Liszt’s Totentanz in Hereford Shirehall; a display of “stunning virtuosity…and pianistic fireworks”. The English Symphony Orchestra Firmly established as ‘The International Orchestra of Elgar country’, the English Symphony Orchestra, under their Artistic Director and Principal Conductor, Kenneth Woods, has become synonymous with artistic excellence, innovative and visionary programming, distinctive commissioning, ground-breaking recording, a welcoming and immersive concert experience, transformative youth programmes and service to the community. Each year, the ESO headlines an ambitious series of concerts in Worcester, Malvern, Hereford, and across the Midlands’ region and as far as Oxford, Bristol and London. Full details of the orchestra’s current schedule can be found at www.eso.co.uk Holy Trinity Church, Hereford DD/MM/YYYY

Details

Holy Trinity Church
Whitecross Road
Hereford
Herefordshire
HR4 0DU
England

Saturday 18th February 2023
4:00 PM

Programme

Aaron Copland – Appalachian Spring (1944 - 13 instruments)
Aaron Copland – Quiet City
George Gershwin – Rhapsody in Blue
William Grant Still – Dismal Swamp
Samuel Barber – Adagio for Strings, Op.11

Performers

Kenneth Woods – Conductor
Roman Kosyakov – piano

English Symphony Orchestra

Programme Note

Some of the most admired and popular American music of the twentieth century is to be performed as part of a programme entitled ‘American Rhapsody’ to be given by the Worcester-based English Symphony Orchestra (ESO) under their conductor, Kenneth Woods. Tickets are priced at £22.50 or free for under 18s, and Carers are provided with a complimentary ticket when accompanying another concertgoer in need of assistance and with a paid ticket.

Joining the ESO to perform George Gershwin’s ever-popular Rhapsody in Blue, will be outstanding young pianist, Roman Kosyakov, who remains on stage to perform in Dismal Swamp by William Grant Still; a prolific composer of operas, ballets and symphonies. Still’s concern with the position of African Americans in U.S. society is reflected in many of his works and his symphonic poem of 1937 for orchestra and piano combines eerie and mysterious effects portraying ‘The Great Dismal Swamp’; an area known as a safe haven for runaway slaves.

Also featured in the programme is one of the most recognisable pieces for string orchestra written by any composer; Samuel Barber’s ‘Adagio for Strings’ was transcribed from his String Quartet and has found fame through film and television and performance on solemn state occasions.

Aaron Copland, who is possibly the composer most associated with the quintessential ‘American sound’, is represented by two works; the haunting ode to New York; Quiet City, for cor anglais, trumpet, and piano, and in the prize-winning music for the ballet Appalachian Spring of 1944; the story of a 19th century pioneer celebration set around a farmhouse in the Pennsylvania hills.

Copland initially scored the ballet for 13 instruments – flute, clarinet, bassoon, piano, four violins, two violas, two cellos and double bass – to fit into a small orchestra pit, and revived the version much later on, saying “the original instrumentation has a clarity and is closer to my original conception than the more opulent orchestral version.” The ESO is performing an extended version Copland made for his final recording of the work in the 1970’s which restores about seven minutes of music cut from the well-known Suite.

“Appalachian Spring is the great humanistic masterpiece of American music,” says conductor Kenneth Woods, who was born in Wisconsin and studied at Cincinnati University. “It’s hard to think of a work closer to my heart, or one I’ve had a longer or more meaningful journey with. Conceived in times as difficult as our own, Copland’s vision of a loving community is one we can all be inspired by.”

WHO IS PERFORMING?

Roman Kosyakov is an international multi-award winning Russian pianist, including the winner of the prestigious Royal Philharmonia Orchestra Prize and the Hastings International Piano Concerto Competition. He made his debut at the age of 12 performing Mozart’s Concerto No.23, and his first recording, featuring works by Liszt, was released in 2020. ESO patrons may recall Kosyakov’s performance of Liszt’s Totentanz in Hereford Shirehall; a display of “stunning virtuosity…and pianistic fireworks”.

The English Symphony Orchestra

Firmly established as ‘The International Orchestra of Elgar country’, the English Symphony Orchestra, under their Artistic Director and Principal Conductor, Kenneth Woods, has become synonymous with artistic excellence, innovative and visionary programming, distinctive commissioning, ground-breaking recording, a welcoming and immersive concert experience, transformative youth programmes and service to the community.

Each year, the ESO headlines an ambitious series of concerts in Worcester, Malvern, Hereford, and across the Midlands’ region and as far as Oxford, Bristol and London. Full details of the orchestra’s current schedule can be found at www.eso.co.uk

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