Central Oregon Symphony
Winter 2008 Concert Details
The winter concert is a pastiche of symphonic possibilities. Opening with a delightful operatic overture by Rossini, the first half of the concert then segues into a sampling of short pieces that highlight various instruments. Two masterpieces for harp and orchestra, by Ravel and Debussy respectively and performed by Oregon’s own Jeff Parsons, demonstrate that the harp is not just for ethereal accents but is rather a vehicle for rich musical expression. This half of the concert concludes with Richard Strauss’ Serenade for 13 Wind Instruments, a work that helped launch the career of its young composer.
As for Beethoven - his career was well underway when he composed the Symphony No. 4, which will be performed during the second part of the concert. German composer Robert Schumann once compared this work to the more muscular Symphonies 3 and 5, calling it “a supple Greek girl, standing in between two giants from the West.” Considered one of the lighter of the nine great symphonies, Symphony No. 4 is indeed infused with a freshness and spontaneity as well as with Beethoven’s renowned vitality.
Saturday, February 23, 2008, 7:30pm
Sunday, February 24, 2008, 2:00pm
Monday, February 25, 2008, 7:30pm
Michael Gesme, Conductor
Jeff Parsons, Harp Soloist
Overture to L’Italiana in Algeri ..........Giaocchino Rossini
Danses for Harp and Orchestra .....................Claude Debussy
Introduction and Allegro .............................Maurice Ravel
Serenade for 13 Wind Instruments.............Richard Strauss
Symphony No. 4 ...........................Ludwig van Beethoven