Dear Friends:

ProMusica has two amazing concerts in store for you, both featuring baritone Christopheren Nomura and the musicians of your orchestra. On Saturday evening, February 6th at the Pontifical College Josephinum he will sing Mahler’s Songs of a Wayfarer, as arranged by Arnold Schonberg for vocal solo and 11 chamber instrumentalists, and Bach’s glorious Cantata No. 82 Ich habe genug. On Sunday evening, February 7th, he will join ProMusica’s full forces for the regional premiere of Michael Daughtery’s spectacular new Letters from Lincoln.

Letters from Lincoln sets texts by America’s greatest president to powerful music – some new, some old and familiar. Daugherty incorporates familiar American folk tunes as well as the very moving chorale prelude “O Sacred Head” into his extended song cycle. The piece portrays America as only Daugherty can, including “dueling trumpets” that depict the two sides of the Civil War. The composer amazingly weaves together Abraham Lincoln’s powerful words with music that fittingly helps remind us (if, indeed we need to be reminded) why President Lincoln was such an important figure in our country’s history and that of the world.

I find the piece incredibly poignant today, given the many challenges that our nation and planet are facing.

Paired with Daugherty’s regional premiere will be a second regional premiere – “A shout, a whisper, and a trace” by acclaimed young American Composer Derek Bermel. ProMusica co-commissioned this work New York City’s American Composer’s Orchestral. The piece was premiered last May in Carnegie Hall. Like the Daugherty, it features a large array of instrumental colors, moods, and rhythms.

Rounding out our Sunday concert at the Southern Theatre will be Mozart’s truly magnificent Symphony No. 29. Remarkably, this is our orchestra’s first performance of this masterwork on a subscription prorgam. The same Mozart symphony will also close the Saturday evening Josephinum concert.

On Saturday you will hear Bach’s famous cantata, which was intended for the feast of the Purification (the presentation of Jesus in the temple) as paired with Mahler’s songs. You can read about each Mahler song at the following website:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lieder_eines_fahrenden_Gesellen

If there is a chance that you can attend both concerts, I would encourage you to do so – as they are both incredibly unique . . . not to be missed. Spread the word and come prepared for evenings to remember. You will experience pieces that you simply cannot hear other places! This is ProMusica . . . great music assembled in very special ways just for you!

Yours sincerely,



Timothy Russell
Music Director