Superb Sibelius

10:30am

Friday, May 12

Join the BPO in welcoming back guest conductor Christopher Wilkins and

presenting the Buffalo debut of British pianist Mark Bebbington! Sibelius’

grand Symphony No. 2 forms the centerpiece of this program, as British

pianist Mark Bebbington brings the work of often-overlooked English

composer John Ireland to Kleinhans.

Christopher Wilkins, conductor

Mark Bebbington, piano

WEBER Overture to Der Freischütz

IRELAND Piano Concerto in E-Flat Major

In tempo moderato

Lento espressivo

Allegretto giocoso

INTERMISSION

SIBELIUS Symphony No. 2 in D Major, Op. 43

I. Allegretto

II. Tempo Andante, ma rubato

III. Vivacissimo

IV. Allegro moderato

REPERTOIRE

Symphony No.2 in D Major, Op. 43:

Jean Sibelius (1865-1957)

Composed in 1901, 43 Minute Duration

Page 2

Overture to Der Freischütz:

Carl Maria von Weber (1786-1826)

Composed in 1820, 10 Minute Duration

Weber’s opera Der Freischütz tells the age-old tale of making a deal

with the devil in return for favors. In this situation, the protagonists

make a deal with a Black Huntsmen in return for seven magic

bullets that will always hit their mark. The catch is that bullet No. 7

will be guided by the Black Huntsmen himself. The Overture

appropriately establishes all of the main themes of the opera from

the ominous sketches and horn music meant to represent the Black

Huntsmen to the soaring string and wind melody which represents

the hero’s future bride.

Piano Concerto in E-Flat Major:

John Nicholson Ireland (1879-1962)

Composed in 1930, 23 Minute Duration

John Ireland’s Piano Concerto features a perfect blend of Romantic

timbre and 20th century harmonies. The first movement

expresses fragmentation of melodies with string as well as piano

solos while the second movement pays lyrical homage to Chopin

and Brahms with solo and orchestra interplay. The third move-

ment is most like a tone poem with a playful tone and impression-

ist undertones.

Sibelius’ Symphony No. 2 has been described as a patriotic piece

for the Finnish people. The first movement is quiet and peace-

ful, reflecting on the pastoral life of the Finns. The second

movement begins with a patriotic spirit though the undertones

express worry over harsh authority of the government. The

scherzo in the third movement awakens the piece with

national pride, encouraging the Finns to defend their rights. The

finale draws everything to a close and replenishes hope into

their hearts.

Page 3 FRIDAY, MAY 12

Mark Bebbington (Pianist):

Mark Bebbington is an internationally recognized champion of

British music. He has given concert and CD premieres of works

by major British composers and has recorded over 30 discs for

the Somm label. Bebbington completed his John Ireland and

Frank Bridge solo piano series: seven CDs which earned him

consecutive sets of five stars in BBC Music Magazine, a Gramo-

phone Music Magazine ‘Editor’s Choice’, and an International

Record Review ‘Outstanding’ accolade.

He has toured throughout Central and Northern Europe, the Far East and North Africa.

He has been featured on BBC TV and Radio and on other major European networks, and

has studied with the legendary Aldo Ciccolini. This year Bebbington will be releasing 20th

century British piano music as well as concerto recordings with the Royal Philharmonic

Orchestra. He will tour Europe with the Czech National Orchestra, Israel with the Israel

Camerata, and will debut with the San Antonio Symphony in addition to his debut in

Buffalo.

Christopher Wilkins (Conductor):

Christopher Wilkins became Music Director of the Akron

Symphony in the fall of 2006. He also serves as Music Director

of the Orlando Philharmonic and the Boston Landmarks

Orchestra, a summer orchestra that performs weekly on

Boston’s Esplanade and throughout Boston. He has guest-

conducted many of the leading orchestras of the United

States, including Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Cincinnati, Detroit,

Houston, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Pittsburgh, and San

Francisco. He has also frequently appeared with orchestras in

Latin America, New Zealand, Spain, and the UK.

Wilkins previously served as Music Director of the San Antonio Symphony and the

Colorado Springs Symphony. He is currently the Artistic Advisor of the Opera Theatre of

the Rockies in Colorado Springs. He helped form and kickstart the Youth Orchestra of the

Americas where he served as the resident conductor.

Wilkins was winner of the Seaver/NEA Award in 1992. He served as the associate

conductor of the Utah Symphony, assisting his former teacher Joseph Silverstein; assistant

conductor of the Cleveland Orchestra, as assistant to Music Director Christoph von

Dohnányi; conducting assistant with the Oregon Symphony under Music Director James

DePreist; and was a conducting fellow at the Tanglewood Music Center.

Explore and Learn:

Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra

As Buffalo’s cultural ambassador, the Grammy Award-winning Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, under Music Direc-tor JoAnn Falletta, presents more than 120 Classics, Pops and Youth Concerts each year and reaches more than 42,000 K-

12 students per year across Western New York.

Since 1940, the orchestra’s permanent home has been

Kleinhans Music Hall, a National Historic Landmark designed

by Eliel and Eero Saarinen with an international reputation as

one of the finest concert halls in the United States.

JoAnn Falletta, Conductor

Friday Morning

Concert Series

BUFFALO PHILHARMONIC

ORCHESTRA

education@bpo.org

Sibelius’ Symphony No. 2 is thought to be a piece that expresses nationalism and

patriotism for Finland. It was written in 1901, at a time when Finland was under

the control of the Russian empire (Finland later declared independence in 1917).

The triumphant nature of the piece, especially the ending, resonated with the

Finnish people and was heard by many as a call to rise up and support

independence.

Can you think of other pieces of music or other artists (from any genre—

Classical, folk, rock, hip hop, etc.) that have patriotic or political messages for the

listener? Can you identify what the message is?