Power Mac Center Spotlight
Circuit Makati
Featuring:
Brian Howrey, saxophone
Manila Symphony Orchestra
Arturo Molina, conductor
Programme:
Modest Mussorgsky
Dance
of the Persian Slaves from Khovanshchina
Alexander Glazunov
Concerto for
Alto Saxophone and String Orchestra in E flat major, Op. 109
Aram Khachaturian
Spartacus
Ballet Suite No. 2
Alexander Borodin
In
the Steppes of Central Asia
Polovetsian Dances from
Prince Igor
A slew of Russian music and the
latter third of Beethoven’s immortal symphonies highlight the Manila Symphony
Orchestra’s 2016-2017 Concert Season. The new season, billed as 90 in celebration of the orchestra
being 90 Years Young, starts with
the inaugural concert, entitled Russian
Romanticism, happening on June 4, 2016, 8:00 PM at the MSO’s new gala
concert venue: the Power Mac Center Spotlight in Circuit Makati.
Led by the MSO’s principal
conductor and music director Arturo Molina, the concert will feature music by
Russian composers namely Modest Mussorgsky, Alexander Glazunov, Aram
Khachaturian, and Alexander Borodin.
American saxophonist Brian Howrey
joins the MSO this evening in a rare performance of Glazunov’s Concerto for Alto Saxophone and String
Orchestra in E flat major, Op. 109. The saxophone, invented back in 1840 by
Adolphe Sax wasn’t utilized as an instrument in symphonic works during the
Romantic era. It was only during the early 20th century that the
instrument started to find its way in works that are now part of the standard
orchestral repertoire. Most people nowadays would typically associate the
saxophone with jazz music or with marching bands rather than classical music. This
is what makes the Glazunov concerto truly interesting because it is deeply
rooted in Russian romanticism and there’s nothing jazzy in it despite being
composed in 1934, a time when jazz music was already in full swing.
 |
| Saxophonist Brian Howrey |
The rest of the music during this
concert, Mussorgsky’s Dance of the
Persian Slaves from Khovanshchina, Khachaturian’s Spartacus Ballet Suite No. 2, and Borodin’s In the Steppes of Central Asia and Polovtsian Dances from Prince Igor highlight another aspect of the
Romantic era which is Exoticism. Composers at the time made music that depicted
the music of faraway places, taking the listener to exotic realms. The
combination of unforgettable and exotic melodies, along with crafty
orchestration helped cement these works and their respective composers to be
among the pillars of Russian Romanticism.
The Manila Symphony Orchestra’s
remaining Season Gala Concerts will feature more music by Russian composers
like Dmitri Shostakovich and Igor Stravinsky. The last three symphonies of
Ludwig van Beethoven will also be performed in each of the remaining concerts
with the monumental 9th Symphony with soloists, choir, and all at
the season finale.
Ticket prices:
P1250 Patron
P850 Gold
P650 Silver
For inquiries:
Carlos Garchitorena 523-5712, (0917) 861-2275,
info@manilasymphony.com
TicketWorld 891-9999
