Harp concerto headlines program influenced by dance

Nov 11, 2009

For Immediate Release

Contact: Annie Matlow - 464-7071

SPOKANE—Resident Conductor Morihiko Nakahara will conduct the Spokane Symphony in and exciting program of music inspired by dance, featuring renowned classical harpist Yolanda Kondonassis. It will be held at the Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009, at 3 p.m. Sunday’s performance is also part of the Symphony YES! series for young listeners.

The Concerto for Harp by Alberto Ginastera will feature Yolanda Kondonassis as soloist, who is recognized as one of the world’s foremost harpists, performing both as a concerto soloist and recitalist throughout the United States, Far East, and Europe. Hailed by the New York Times for her “powerful playing and musicianly energy,” she made her debut at age 18 with The New York Philharmonic and has since appeared as soloist with numerous orchestras around the world. Ms. Kondonassis has won universal critical acclaim for her 13 discs, and has received many awards and honors. In addition to her active performing and recording schedule, Ms. Kondonassis heads the harp departments at The Cleveland Institute of Music and Oberlin Conservatory of Music and has given masterclasses around the world.

Ginastera, a mid-twentieth century composer from Argentina, wrote his Concerto for Harp over a period of 10 years for his friend, harpist Nicanor Zabaleta. The music reflects influences of Argentinean folk music, nationalistic passion and other great 20^th century masters, such as Stravinsky and Bartók. It also shows off the full range of the harp, from lyrical to mysterious to percussive. In short, the mood of this music goes from serene beauty to breathtaking excitement of music from the birthplace of Tango.

The concert opens with Galánta Dances, written by Hungarian composer Zoltán Kodály, who made it his life’s work to study his country’s folk music and write original compositions inspired by the folk tradition. However, Galánta Dances was more than an academic exercise; Kodály grew up in the town of Galánta and heard the gypsy town band playing in the streets, and 40 years later, returned to score the dances. The dances, written in the popular verbunkos style - used to entice recruits into the Austrian army, are filled with exquisite musical coloring and unfold in a masterful sequence of alternating moods and tempos.

The concert will conclude with Robert Schumann’s Symphony No. 2, a dramatic example of the emotional extremes of Romantic music. The first movement opens slowly, but gradually transforms into a dramatic, highly rhythmic piece. It is followed by the fiery and notoriously difficult Scherzo, then, a slow movement expressing intimacy and yearning, and ends with triumphant finale, exuding a joy that is surprising given Schumann’s state of mental and physical illness.

Concertgoers can access new Interactive Program Notes, now available for each of the concerts in the Classics series on the Spokane Symphony website. These notes include audio clips from the music and a pop-up glossary of musical terms to enhance your understanding and enjoyment of the concerts. Notes for Classics 4 can be accessed at http://www.spokanesymphony.org/notes/classics4.htm

This concert will mark the second anniversary of the Opening of the Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox. In celebration, half price tickets will be available at the Spokane Symphony Ticket Office to any one who shows one of the commemorative coins distributed at the Grand Opening Community Day. The Ticket Office is located in the theater at 1001 W. Sprague. In addition, concertgoers are invited to share a short account of memories made at the newly restored Theater by submitting them to info@spokanesymphony.org – we may post these on our website.

Tickets for either performance are $22, $32, $40, and $44. Tickets are available in advance at the Spokane Symphony Ticket Office, located at the Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox, 1001 W. Sprague, or by calling 509-624-1200. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.spokanesymphony.org Tickets are also available at all TicketsWest outlets. The Sunday performance of this concert is also part of Symphony YES series, with greatly reduced tickets for young people age 8-14 and the adults that accompany them. Symphony YES tickets are only available through the Spokane Symphony Ticket Office.

The underwriter for this concert is Center for Faith and Healing by Anonymous Donor.

CALENDAR LISTING:

Dance Fever Classics Concert; Morihiko Nakahara conducts the Spokane Symphony; Yolanda Kondonassis, harp; Saturday, Nov. 21 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Nov. 22 at 3 p.m. in the Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox. Tickets are $22 to $44; call the Spokane Symphony Ticket Office at (509) 624-1200 or in person at the Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox, 1001 W. Sprague; tickets are also available at www.spokanesymphony.org and through all TicketsWest outlets. The Sunday performance of this concert is also part of Symphony YES series, with greatly reduced tickets for young people age 8-14 and the adults that accompany them. Symphony YES tickets are only available through the Spokane Symphony Ticket Office. Symphony YES! includes a pre-concert event at 2 p.m. in the North Gallery of the Theater.