Musical Reflections by David Stewart Wiley
June 1, 6:00 pm Festival Baroque Orchestra Concert
J.S. Bach
Double Violin Concerto
Written
between 1717 and 1723 when he was the
Kapellmeister at the court of Anhalt-Köthen,
Germany, the
Concerto for 2 Violins, Strings and
Continuo in D Minor
, BWV 1043, is perhaps one of the most
famous works by the great Baroque master of counterpoint
and fugal imitation. In addition to the two soloists, both of
equal stature, the double concerto is scored for small string
orchestra with basso continuo, with the two solo violins taking
the lead. The concerto comprises three distinct movements,
with a total duration of about 20 minutes: Vivace, Largo, and
the third movement Allegro.
J.S. Bach
Orchestral Overture (Suite)
No. 3 in D
, BWV 1068,
is a multiple movement composition for strings, winds,
trumpets and timpani, likely written in Leipzig before 1723 as a
series of splendid dances that follow a “French” overture. It
includes the lovely “Air on a G string” often performed as a
separate gem on its own.
G.F. Handel
Music for the Royal Fireworks
and
Water
Music
A royal “water party” occurred in 1715 for King George
II of England on the Thames, and George Frederick Handel was
commissioned to compose festive outdoor music for the King’s
party. The King liked it so much that perhaps it is no accident
that the German-born composer received his pension later the
same year. Years later, in 1749, the King commissioned music
for the Royal Fireworks, and between 50 and 100 instruments
participated. The rehearsal drew an audience of 12,000 and
created a traffic jam that tied up London Bridge for hours. We
expect we will do the same for Route 8 at the traffic light in
Floyd on June 1.
June 2, 6:00 pm Festival Orchestra Concert
Dvorak
Symphony No. 9
“From the
New World
”
The great Bohemian
master Antonin Dvorak came to New
York City in 1892 to become director of
the National Conservatory of Music, at
the request of wealthy philanthropist
Jeannette Thurber. He immersed
himself in composing, teaching and
conducting. It was in his first year in
NY that he composed what is his arguably his most recognized
work, his Symphony No. 9 “From the New World”. Dvorak had
read Longfellow’s “The Song of Hiawatha” in a Czech
translation, and remarked that the symphony’s third
movement scherzo was “suggested by the scene at the feast in
Hiawatha where the Indians dance.” Much has been written
and discussed about this great work, with the African-American
influences of “Swing Low” tune in the first movement. The
second movement largo features the great solo for English
Horn “Goin’ Home” which reminded the composer of Burleigh’s
voice. The final magic touch in the boisterous close is the
surprise last chord that fades to silence. Was the composer
suggesting that the work of American composers was just
beginning, that there was exciting growth and musical dialogue
to come in the years ahead?
Concerto for Mandolin & Orchestra
(2011, Festival
Premiere) Jeff Midkiff, composer &
mandolin As Jeff
writes about his music: “My love for playing the mandolin, and
a lifetime of doing so, began to take on new meaning and
motivation just a few years ago. After decades of performing as
a professional clarinetist in numerous orchestral concerts, I felt
a deep-seated desire to bring my favorite instrument in line
with those experiences. My excitement and motivation for this
piece started with the idea that I could bring my most natural
companion to the symphonic stage -- two seemingly different
worlds together. I hope you enjoy the fusion of these
complementary musical worlds.
“The commission for the piece came from David Stewart Wiley
and the RSO in November of 2010, and it was then that the
falling leaves drew the opening musical scene. The first of three
movements (Allegro) begins with the mandolin on swirling
sixteenth notes, setting the stage for excitement and
anticipation, as does the entire movement. Indeed, our Blue
Ridge’s beauty and importance to me would form the piece.
The first movement ends quickly, there is a final unexpected
fade with a long held single note in the clarinets -- an echo of
the diminuendo ending of the great Dvorak symphony also
heard on tonight's program.
“The lyrical and slow second movement draws on more typical
and familiar bluegrass melodies. Having grown up in Roanoke,
moved away, and returned, I wanted the concerto to echo the
emotions associated with home, and with coming home to
Roanoke. To get there, I looked to the Blue Ridge Mountains
and the Roanoke Valley. “Wildwood Flower” by the Carter
Family and Bill Monroe’s “Roanoke” are my thematic
inspirations, along with Dvorak's own "Goin' Home" theme. A
haunting fiddle tune from the mandolin (accompanied by the
oboe) paints a picture of longing before the journey is
complete.
“The final movement is an upbeat, improvisational and
dynamic affair. It draws strongly upon jazz and bluegrass
themes in a series of ideas in a ‘controlled jam session’ with
one idea smoothly leading to another. With each turn, the
orchestra has a virtuosic role to play, with percussion and
mandolin setting the course. Following a traditional bluegrass
section, we hear an extended cadenza for mandolin and violin,
and the full orchestra joins for a funky mixed-meter blues riff.
Another brief mandolin cadenza serves as the final bridge to
the concerto's bright, and up-tempo conclusion.”
– JM (More
about Jeff Midkiff can be found in the Background section.)
Fanfare For Floyd
(premiere)
Steven E. Brown
“
The
fanfare is a short celebratory piece contrasting the fanfare
flourishes in the brass with a long-line, flowing melody for the
strings and woodwinds, and will be over before you know it, so
listen carefully!” – SB Steven Brown was born in Seattle and
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