Eckart Preu conducts Bach and Stravinsky

Sep 29, 2010

For Immediate Release

Contact: Annie Matlow - 464-7071

SPOKANE— Music Director Eckart Preu will conduct the Spokane Symphony performing a pair of musical jewels: Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 3, and Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite (1919). Maestro Preu has sandwiched a rare treat between these two masterpieces, Prokofiev’s wildly colorful and original Third Symphony. This exciting selection of music will be performed at Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2010, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 10, 2010, at 3 p.m. What will make this concert unique is the fact that Preu will conduct Bach’s concerto from the harpsichord, in keeping with the conventions of Baroque music.

Bach is one of the greatest composers of all time, but has had the misfortune of falling in and out of popularity. The Spokane Symphony is offering a rare opportunity to enjoy Bach’s orchestral music live in the fabulous acoustics of the Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox. Preu has selected Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 3, the third in a collection of six instrumental works presented by Bach to the margrave of Brandenburg in 1721. These concertos are widely regarded as among the finest musical compositions of the Baroque era, which marked the time in musical history when chamber music and orchestral music went their separate ways. The Concerto No. 3 is written for three trios of string, each comprised of violin, viola and cello. Unlike most concertos, where a single soloist is allowed to shine against a backdrop of orchestral music, Bach gives us a true ensemble work, in which all nine string players share equally in the solo parts. A continuo provided by double bass and harpsichord, played by Preu, completes the ensemble.  

The second selection is Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 3, “The Fiery Angel.” While on a visit to the United States, Prokofiev became fascinated by a novel called The Fiery Angel” and proceeded to compose an opera of the same name; unfortunately, after eight years of work, he discovered that nobody would produce the opera, and it was never performed during his lifetime. Not wanting to see good music go to waste, Prokofiev reworked the themes of the opera into his third symphony. One of the most striking aspects of the Symphony is its unusual orchestration; music combining very high and low instruments pervades the score.

The concert will conclude with Stravinsky’s 1919 version of Firebird Suite, based on the Firebird ballet score that propelled Stravinsky to instant, rock-star success. One French critic called it “the most exquisite marvel of equilibrium we have ever imagined between sounds, movements and forms.” With its romantic tone, lush orchestral colors, and imaginative use of instruments and exciting rhythms, the Firebird Suite has remained and audience favorite and Stravinsky's most frequently performed work. The original score called for a vast orchestra, but the 1919 arrangement requires a smaller number of musicians in keeping with the resources of modern orchestras.

Tickets for either performance are $22, $32, $40, and $44. Tickets are available in advance at the Spokane Symphony Ticket Office, located at 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 or by calling 1-800-325-SEAT.

This concert has been underwritten by Don Herak and Family on behalf of Gonzaga University.