Adrian Symphony Orchestra to Perform Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5
The Adrian Symphony Orchestra will perform a classical concert that symphony lovers will not want to miss. Tchaikovsky 5 will take place on Friday, April 29th at 8 PM in Dawson Auditorium on the Adrian College Campus. The ASO led by Music Director and Conductor Bruce Anthony Kiesling will perform Jennifer Higdon's Blue Cathedral, Michael Daugherty's Reflections on the Mississippi featuring one of Canada's hottest musicians, Jarrett McCourt, and they will finish the concert with Tchaikovsky's grand Symphony No. 5.
The concert opens with Blue Cathedral by three-time Grammy winner and American composer Jennifer Higdon. Inspired by the unexpected passing of her brother Andrew "Blue," Higdon wrote the music to represent "the inner travels and the places our souls carry us, the lessons we learn, and the growth of the experience." This representation occurs in what Higdon imagines in her music: a crystal cathedral in the sky. Conductor Bruce Kiesling says of the piece, "One of the notable aspects about this piece is the use of unusual instruments. Higdon wrote parts for Chinese meditation balls and water-filled crystal goblets to convey the shimmering beauty of her crystal cathedral."
Next, the concert will transport listeners to the Mississippi River with Michael Daugherty's concerto for tuba Reflections on the Mississippi. Daugherty is a multiple Grammy winner and University of Michigan Professor of Composition. His four-movement piece is a musical reflection on family trips during his childhood. Each movement is a memory, from sunrises through a misty haze to gambling steamboats. To help bring the music alive, internationally known tuba player Jarrett McCourt will be the featured soloist with the ASO.
The orchestra will close the concert with Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5. After writing many brilliantly successful works, Tchaikovsky feared he had "not the slightest musical idea in his head." Tchaikovsky manifested this dread at the beginning of his fifth symphony, but throughout the four movements, he found his way back to hope with a feverish and festive ending. Conductor Bruce Kiesling says of the piece, "This is a work of incredible triumph. You can hear his doubt turn into confidence and excitement. Nobody does drama like Tchaikovsky!"
With an emphasis on making music accessible to the community, a "Classical Conversation" talk with Music Director Bruce Kiesling will precede the concert. Bruce will share stories behind the music that the orchestra will perform. The "Classical Conversation" will occur in the auditorium at 7 PM and is available at no extra cost to all concert ticket holders. A cash bar will also be open in the lobby from 7 PM through intermission and after the concert.
