Whatcom Symphony Orchestra celebrates 40 years with a world premiere
Whatcom Symphony Orchestra music director Yaniv Attar says that “for sure,” the symphony’s concert on Sunday, Nov. 22, at Mount Baker Theatre is an anniversary concert.
“One is ours,” he says, “and the bigger anniversary is the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death.”
On the program are excerpts from the first and second suites from Prokofiev’s ballet music for “Romeo and Juliet,” which Attar conducted last summer in the Czech Republic.
From the very first note of the second suite, one can hear the tragedy of the story that is about to unfold.
WSO music director Yaniv Attar
on Prokofiev’s music for “Romeo and Juliet”It’s a terrific work, he says, and definitely an audience favorite.
“From the very first note of the second suite, one can hear the tragedy of the story that is about to unfold, and then the journey begins.”
To open the concert, the orchestra will perform a commissioned world premiere of “Hitherto” by New York composer Sean Hickey.
Hickey says that when he composes, he generally doesn’t wait for inspiration.
“My process,” he says, “is to work whenever I can, and that usually entails very short bursts. I try to make those moments meaningful and productive.”
Hickey travels a lot, and, he says, “I generally compose at the piano and airplanes, which is to say on paper as well as on computer.”
He composed “Hitherto” on trains and planes from Washington state, San Francisco, Berlin and London, as well as at his home in Brooklyn.
Hickey began as a jazz guitarist, so it follows that his influences include not only such classical composers as Shostakovitch, Ravel and Stravinsky, but also rock legends like Frank Zappa.
The last piece on the program is Max Bruch’s Concerto for Clarinet, Viola and Orchestra in E minor, featuring guest musicians Israeli clarinetist Moran Katz and Belgian violist Dmitri Murrath.
“I love the constant dialogue between the viola and the clarinet, and the way they interact with the orchestra,” Attar says. “This is going to be a treat for our audience.”
Margaret Bikman: 360-715-2273, @bhamentertainme
“Perfect Pair”
When: 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22; pre-concert lecture at 2 p.m. in Encore Room with WSO executive director Thom Mayes and composer Sean Hickey
Where: Mount Baker Theatre, 104 N. Commercial St.
Tickets: $14 to $39. Purchase any adult ticket and receive a free ticket for students 12 to 17. Available at 360-734-6080, mountbakertheatre.com.
Details: whatcomsymphony.com
This story was originally published November 17, 2015 at 4:01 PM with the headline "Whatcom Symphony Orchestra celebrates 40 years with a world premiere."