Music off the Record:Northwest Sinfonietta, Feb 14-16

Ken Owen, D.M.A.

A The music of grumpy men B The music of men with crazy

hair C Soundscapes D hey – who’s that 5th guy on the

end?

Guess the theme of the concert

One impulse from a vernal woodMay teach you more of man,

Of moral evil and of goodThan all the sages can.

-William Wordsworth

Soundscapes

Arthur Honegger

Born in 1892o Swisso Adult life in Paris

Not a prodigy, but a musical family Idolized Bach and Beethoven

Paris Conservatory Member of “les Six”

o Milhaud, Poulenc, Auric, Durey, Tailleferre, and Honegger

o Not as taken w/avant-garde

Composed in 1920 – Dedicated to Roland-Manuel

French composer & critic, friend of Satie & Ravel

premiered the next year Immediate success Similar atmosphere to Debussy’s

Prelude to the afternoon of a faun

Pastorale d’été

Tribute to Beethoven’s Pastoral Symphony

Translation – Summer pastorale Honegger’s epigraph:

"I have embraced the dawn of summer“ http://youtu.be/v6GI9zY-Pxo

Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy

Born - 1809 in Hamburg Dad = banker in Paris Mom = very wealthy family• moved to Hamburg after marriage• 4 children, Felix = #2

Family to Berlin to avoid Napoleon conflict

Family converted to Christianity and added Bartholdy name.

Mom taught piano

10 yrs old –prominent piano teacher

Dad hired orchestra to perform his works 7 acre backyard. Portico seated

several hundred

Felix mendelssohn

Attended University Interested in literature and politics as well –

friends with Goethe “my little David who plays to me, his grouchy

old Saul, whenever I am weary with the world”

20yrs – Parents send him on 4 year travel abroad 1st England & Scotland

Adored by public and musicians Beloved socialite

“I do nothing but flirt” – always in love but no scandals.

Mendelssohn

The Hebrides Islands

Fingal’s Cave

Fingal’s Cave

Also called “Fingal’s Cave” Inspired by Mendelssohn’s trip Listen for:

rolling waves – Sweeping vistas Crashing waves

http://youtu.be/zcogD-hHEYs

The Hebrides Overture

Ralph Vaughan Williams

Born 1872 in Down Ampney (not Downton Abbey)o Father died while Ralph was a boyo Moved to London

From distinguished familieso Music part of educationo First from aunt and then Royal College

of Music Family supported early musical

endeavorso Doubted his ability for a careero Lacked self-confidence

Determined – traveled to study with Bruch Ravel

A nationalist Studied English folksong –

collected 800+ Philosophy of “musical

citizenship”

Ralph Vaughan Williams

Started in 1914 Joined the Army (WW I) same year When returned, revised Lark

Joyful poetry He is the dance of children, thanks Of sowers, shout of primrose banks And eyes of violets while they breathe; All of these the circling song will wreathe…   Till Lost on his aerial rings In light, and then the fancy sings.

The Lark Ascending

http://youtu.be/ZR2JlDnT2l8

Ludwig van Beethoven

Born in Bonn, Dec. 17, 1770 Trained and employed as

musician Arrived in Vienna, 1792 Studied with Haydn and others Became established pianist and

composer Died in Vienna, March 26, 1827

o 20,000 attended funeral

Many affairs but never married Recognized as genius and eccentric Totally deaf by 1820 Adopted orphan nephew in later

years Forceful, strong-willed,

uncompromising

Personal life

Beethoven loved the countryside Frequently took walks in woods and fields Expressed a religious feeling toward nature

Unique traits of the 6th (1808)

Programmatic titles I – “The awakening of joyous feelings on getting

out into the countryside” II - “Scene by the brook” III - “Merry gathering of country people” IV - “Thunderstorm” V – “Shepherd’s song. Happy and thankful

feelings after the storm”

Symphony No. 6 “Pastorale”

Unique traits 5 movements? Optimistic and peaceful tone (this is

Beethoven?)

Program music popular at the time, but not as prestigious. “more an expression of feelings than tone

painting” Written in score

Flute=nightingale Oboe = quail Clarinet=cuckoo

Symphony No. 6 “Pastorale”

3rd movement my favorite http://youtu.be/wsYM9Y62uKI

Group of country musicians 0:55 – late bassoon entrance (amateurs!) 4:00 - hoedown-like country party

4th movement Thunderstorm (I knew Beethoven was in there somewhere) Erie start – sensing the storm approaching Thunder (timpani to orch) High winds - piccolo http://youtu.be/hiCJjD5bXXQ

Symphony No. 6 “Pastorale”

Ken Owen, D.M.A. Pierce College Puyallup Music faculty The presentation is posted on my website

www.choralconductor.org Under the lectures and presentations tab

Enjoy the concert!