Casual Classics Introduce a Fraternal Pair: Bach and Handel

Apr 19, 2006

For Immediate Release

Contact: Annie Matlow 326-3136

SPOKANE: The Spokane Symphony and Music Director Eckart Preu welcome listeners to meet a Fraternal Pair: Bach and Handel on Sunday, April 30 at 3 p.m. and Tuesday, May 2 at 7:30 p.m. at the Metropolitan Performing Arts Center. The Spokane Symphony musicians will leave their tuxes at home and join Maestro Preu to make the music come alive in a casual atmosphere.

The differences between Bach and Handel are as illuminating as their points of comparison. Both were born just 50 miles apart in the same year and they both were masters of the Baroque stylebut each in their own unique way. While Bach was not valued by the world until 75 years after his death, Handel became famous in his own lifetime. In 1719, Bach attempted to arrange a meeting with Handel. This meeting never took place but in Spokane's Met Theatre, they will finally meet.

The six Brandenburg Concertos by Bach are among his most beloved. The Sixth Concerto is scored for strings only, with two solo violas played by Nick Carper, principal viola, and Jeannette Wee-Yang, associate principal. Bach's Sinfonia in D major will also be featured.

Carper is the principal violist for the Spokane Symphony. Born in Spokane, he began his musical studies on the violin at the age of nine in Oakland, Michigan. He discovered the viola as his new musical voice, and began studying with Roberto Díaz, principal violist of the Philadelphia Orchestra. Carper graduated from Butler University, where he studied with Hungarian-born violist Csaba Erdlyi. He has performed widely throughout the U.S. in various capacities, as principal, chamber musician, and soloist. He has performed with the Columbus, Macon, and Muncie Symphony Orchestras and the Marion Philharmonic. He is married to Rachel Dorfman, violinist with the Spokane Symphony.

Jeannette Wee-Yang is the assistant principal violist in the Spokane Symphony. Born in Singapore, where she started violin lessons, she immigrated to Vancouver, B.C. at the age of eight. She received a bachelor of music degree from the University of British Columbia and a master of music degree from Indiana University. Jeannette has performed with orchestras across North America, including the Milwaukee Symphony, the Milwaukee Chamber Orchestra, and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. She was the principal violist of the Sudbury Symphony in Ontario, Canada, and the assistant principal violist of the Milwaukee Ballet Orchestra. Jeannette plays viola in the Spokane String Quartet and is on faculty at Whitworth College.

Handel composed the spectacular Water Music to be played as a surprise for the King's boating party.

The concert is sponsored by Mary Schultz and the Sylvan Learning Center.

Tickets are $19, $21, & $25; Call the Spokane Symphony Ticket Office at (509) 624-1200; tickets are also available, with service charges, through TicketsWest at 325-SEAT, 1-800-325-SEAT and at www.spokanesymphony.org.