Loudoun Symphony Notes |
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| Winter 2008 | Issue 6 |
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Mark Your Calendar!
Sponsored by Sunday, 12/14, 3 pm Loudoun Valley High School, Purcellville, VA Richman: Hanukah Festival Overture Mozart: German Dances, K. 605 No. 3 “Sleigh Ride” Tyzik: The Twelve Gifts of Christmas Waldteufel: Les Patineurs, Op. 183 Strommen: There’s Christmas in the Air Adam: O Holy Night Corelli: Concerto Grosso, Op. 6, No. 8 “Christmas Concerto” Tchaikovsky: Selections from “Nutcracker” Berlin: White Christmas Anderson: Sleigh Ride Jessel: Parade of the Wooden Soldiers Christmas Singalong This Is Everyone's "Holiday Festival" because... ...it's December, it's cold, it's either fun in the snow or irksome hours with a shovel; it's the onrush of that seasonal joy of people to see, celebrations to share, moments of peaceful thought and reflection, children's laughter -- and busy, busy, busy. But look at it from this point of view: with all we must do this month, and all the people who look to us for either guidance or wrapping paper, what pleasure there will be in two hours of relaxing holiday music with the Loudoun Symphony. And this year's special celebration includes something for absolutely everyone -- sleigh rides (without leaving your seat), wooden soldiers (you'll see them march with your eyes closed), ice skaters (in imaginary woolen sweaters), a Singalong using your car keys (don't ask), and guest soloist Courtney Ross -- all creating a relaxing, fun-filled, memory-filled time for you and those you love. Tickets at the door, via phone at 703-771-8287, at our web site, at Melodee Music's Sterling store and at the Loudoun Visitors Center in Leesburg. This is a great event for the whole family -- remember, kids 18 or younger are free, as they are for all of our concerts (though kids do need a ticket). Get your tickets now. You don't want to miss this! (Don O'Brien) Jeff Tyzik? Who's that? Jeff Tyzik is about to re-define your idea of what The 12 Days Of Christmas are, or is, or was, or might have been...or will be. Those lords a'leaping may vanish from thought after a ten-minute invention of his. First of all, Mr. Tyzik is the Principal Pops Conductor of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, and a noted composer as well. In 1998 he wrote a rewrite, if you will, of The 12 Days of Christmas, using the instrumental families of the symphony orchestra as gifts to a "true love," instead of partridges, golden rings and ladies dancing. More than that, he crafted each section with familiar excerpts from famous compositions: works by Beethoven, Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Brahms, Vivaldi and others. This is clever piece, to be sure, and a memorable part of our 2008 Holiday concert -- and a 10th anniversary for Mr. Tyzik's effort on top of that. What's more, we have the honor of welcoming Courtney Ross to the stage to sing this unorthodox little creation -- and her dramatic and wonderfully romantic interpretation of the "...Days" will linger in your mind all season long. In short, here is one of the most familiar of holiday songs, updated, uprooted, upended and uproarious. It's fun, funny, filled with musical references you'll probably recognize in a moment, and remember long after you leave the concert. That's who Jeff Tyzik is. (Don O'Brien) ---------------*--------------- Ah, The Nutcracker! Holiday music by any definition, from Lucas Richman's Hanukah Festival Overture (which we will perform at our Holiday concert), to Jingle Bells, covers one of the widest ranges of music familiar to almost everyone. But the story of a little mouse king is among the most beloved. E. T. A. Hoffman wrote the original tale, called The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, in 1816. Seventy-five years later, famed choreographer Marius Pepita commissioned Tchaikovsky to write music for a ballet version of the story. One year later, in Russia's Mariinsky Theatre, it became a tradition. But another forty eight years had to pass before America first heard the work performed here. Since then, the ballet -- or more typically the "suite" based on the ballet's beautiful themes -- has become a solid part of the Holiday Season. (Don O'Brien) ---------------*--------------- Watch This Space! Our next newsletter will contain a contest with two great prizes, one each to be awarded at the LSO's March 13 and 14 concerts. Look for the contest in the next newsletter! ---------------*--------------- Please note that the Loudoun Symphony Orchestra has no connection, financial or otherwise, with any of the Web sites or other outside resources mentioned in this Newsletter. They are suggested only to help you discover additional information. View Previous issues of "Notes" Issue 1, March 2008 Issue 2, April 2008 Issue 3, May 2008 Issue 4, Summer 2008 Issue 5, Fall 2008 |
Christmas Carols? The word "carol" comes from the French "caroler," meaning "dancing in a circle." Further back, the word's origins rest in Latin and Greek. Saint Francis of Assisi is credited with introducing Christmas carols to church services in 1223. He was a man of many interests, particularly the arts, and became an inspiration for composers to create Christmas music. In 1410, a writer named Riston wrote the first English carol -- and the motivation from that continued until the time of Oliver Cromwell, who banned all such "secular" music starting in 1649. When many Protestants had to escape from England because of religious pressures from others, they took the developing tradition of carols with them. In 1649, matching Cromwell's silencing in England, the first American carol was written: Jesus is Born. Today, for many, the familiar sounds of such season-centered music is enough to bring smiles and happy memories to mind. Dancing, please note, is optional. (Don O'Brien) But They're Not Even ABOUT Christmas! Have you ever stopped to wonder why we identify certain songs as being associated with Christmas, even though there's not a mention of the holiday in them? The most famous example of this is of course Handel's Messiah and its renowned Hallelujah chorus. The oratorio was originally intended to be performed during Lent, as it chronicled the life of Jesus according to Christianity. Hallelujah falls at the end of the second section, which is in the middle of the two "Easter" sections. Yet somehow that rousing piece seems appropriate to the season, so it is typically performed immediately after the first, "Christmas," section as a conclusion to the concert. Similarly, many of the more recent additions to the Christmas season are focused instead on the winter season, rather than Christmas. One of my favorite "Christmas" pieces (percussionists always fight over playing the sleigh bells and whip!), Leroy Anderson's Sleigh Ride, never mentions the holiday at all, but focuses on the fun of being bundled up on a sleigh while riding to "a birthday party at the home of Farmer Gray." The well-known "Christmas carol" Jingle Bells has a similar horse-riding theme. Moreover, it was originally written in 1857 for a Thanksgiving program at a church! Frosty the Snowman, Winter Wonderland, and Let It Snow! are all examples of "cold weather" songs that are now frequently associated with the Christmas season as well, despite no mention of the holiday. Perhaps it's just that there is less cause to be singing joyous songs during the long, cold winter months of January and February, so we incorporate these upbeat numbers into our singing of Christmas carols. (This desire for happiness might also explain why the beautiful, but more somber, In the Bleak Midwinter Christmas carol is less popular than many others.) Whatever the reason, come join the Loudoun Symphony and get in a festive mood as it celebrates the season with a wide range of "wintery" fare. (Vicki Rundquist) Links: http://musiced.about.com/od/christmasnewyeararticles/qt/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_music http://www.allchristmaslyrics.com/ Loudoun Symphony Friends The first event hosted by the Friends, the Symphony's new support group headed by Dr. Mary Haberl, was held on the most beautiful day of Autumn, Saturday, November 1. Gathering at the home of Symphony supporter Lucky Marks, with a vista to match the beauty of Tanglewood, Friends enjoyed fresh cider, sausages with sauerkraut, caramel apples...and music by members of the Youth Orchestra. Join the Friends for a New Year '09 Music Fest party at "Braeburn", historic home of Gordon and Juliana MacDowell, on Saturday, January 4, 2009, 4:00 to 7:00 pm. The event features food, drink and superb musical entertainment provided by Loudoun's own Marks family, Nancy Prestipino and friends. Only $50 per couple. Proceeds benefit the Symphony. Click HERE to order tickets online or phone 703-771-8287 or 540-454-6981. This is likely to be a sellout, so reserve now! Additional events, and regular Symphony Receptions, are also planned, and you're invited to join in the fun as you help the Symphony grow and reach out to new audiences. Contact Mary Haberl at 703-774-5208 for more info. Did you know?
---------------*--------------- Be instrumental! Forward a copy of this Newsletter to friends and family. Comments? Want to suggest or write an article? Contact us! newsletter@loudounsymphony.org. ---------------*--------------- Loudoun Symphony Notes, copyright 2008. All rights reserved. |
