Lansing Symphony Orchestra Announces Virtual Concert Spanning Three CEnturies
The Lansing Symphony Orchestra is featuring music spanning three centuries, including the 18th century by Antonio Vivaldi, the 20th century by Heitor Villa-Lobos and the 21st century by LSO Composer-in-Residence Patrick Harlin as part of their first virtual event of the year.
The free virtual program – released on Friday, February 19 at 7:30 p.m. – will be an exclusive viewing to LSO donors of any level. Monday, March 1, the general public will be able to view the free performance until April 30. The streaming concert will be available at LSOvideo.com. LSO Music Director and Conductor Timothy Muffit says the program will take you on a journey. “Every piece of music we picked for the program is highly descriptive, taking you from one incredible place to another.”
The program features a string octet performing Vivaldi’s beloved “Autumn” from The Four Seasons and a new work, “The Art of Flight,” written by LSO Composer-in-Residence Patrick Harlin. The final piece on the program is a beautiful, yet rarely performed work for 12 cellos by Heitor Villa Lobos named “Bachianas Brasileiras No 1.” Muffit says even though each piece of music was written centuries apart, there is a connection between all of them.
“The oldest piece, Vivaldi’s “Autumn,” is a highly descriptive evocative experience of the fall season. Autumn. The newest piece, Harlin’s “The Art of Flight,” takes you on an exciting trip allowing you to experience the power of nature. And Villa-Lobos’ “Bachianas Brasileiras” submerges you into the full color and flavor of Brazilian culture.”
Harlin adds that “The Art of Flight” was written as a companion piece to Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons.”
“There is alternating between movements with the violin as a soloist and the orchestra functioning as a murmuration. The “Art of Flight” depicts the phenomenon of birds in motion. I think the audience is going to love it.”
There will be a preview conversation on zoom before the concert on Friday, February 19 at 7 p.m. featuring Muffit, Harlin and the LSO Musicians. Login information is available at lansingsymphony.org. For specific concert program details, health and safety measures, and to learn how you can support the LSO during this time, please visit www. LansingSymphony.org or call the LSO office at 517-487-5001.
