ProMusica Prelude – October 2008


Dear Friends of ProMusica (long-standing and new):

Whether you have been attending ProMusica concerts since day one or just preparing to attend your first ProMusica event, I wish you welcome . . . to our 30th anniversary season. We have planned a series of programs that both celebrate our glorious past and launch our exciting future.

ProMusica means “for music” and “forward music.” Everything that we have done, and continue to do, is (first and foremost) about the music! Great music is who we are and drives all that we do – the performance and study of classical music, which is just as important to modern day culture as it was two hundred years ago! ProMusica offers innovative programs at the magnificent Southern Theatre that meld the greatest masterworks of all time with the best in new works written for our ensemble and other modern small orchestras around the world.

Each of subscription weekends this season will feature masterworks from the various historical eras: Schubert’s perfectly constructed tuneful Fifth Symphony in October, Beethoven’s monumental Seventh Symphony in December, Handel’s Messiah in December, Mozart’s Paris Symphony in January, Haydn’s cleverly theatrical Farewell Symphony in February, and Dvorak’s splendid Czech Suite in April.

Each of the subscription weekends will feature a magnificent guest artist offering their own very special interpretation of a famous concerto: child prodigy Conrad Tao returning for the breathtaking Saint-Saens Piano Concerto #2 in October, long-time friend of ProMusica flutist Carol Wincenc returning to share in Mozart’s charming Flute Concerto in D major in November, Chinese pianist Yuja Wang offering Beethoven’s bravura Piano Concerto #3 in January, world renowned cellist Gary Hoffman and his colleague, violinist Vadim Gluzman, sharing their gifts in the colossal Brahms Double Concerto in February, and Karl Pituch making an encore appearance as soloist in the glorious Straus Horn Concerto No. 1 in April.

Each of our concert weekends will also present striking new works that will thrill you with the energy and excitement that “is” new music. You will like these pieces . . . really . . . . I promise! We must always remember that all art, especially music, is a product of the time and place in which it is created and makes a statement about that moment in history. For thirty years ProMusica has helped to shape the classical music landscape for new orchestral works – commissioning over 40 new compositions, and premiering over 90 new additions to the repertoire. This season we will premiere a few more commissioned pieces as well as reprise some of the best of those that we have introduced to you and the rest of the music world in recent years. In October, we will unveil Conrad Tao’s new Fanfare, as coupled with Echoes from the Southern: A Ragtime Overture by Columbus composer Thomas Wells. In November we pair Joan Tower’s fiery Purple Rhapsody with young new age composer J. Ralph’s new celebratory Fanfare. In January Peter Schickele’s charming Thurber’s Dogs returns to the Southern Theatre (with a brand new collaborative visual animation). In February Michael Daugherty returns to Columbus as, once again, we present this American icon’s Tell My Fortune, a virtual concerto for chamber orchestra. And, in April we will have you dancing in the aisles to Roberto Sierra’s Gurracha from his Serenata.

Our May Gala brings back America Fiddler Mark O’Connor, both as performer and composer. We have commissioned him to write a new Triple Concerto for the ever appealing Ahn Trio.

WOW! What a season we have in store for you. And, as always, the best way to experience ProMusica is to come to each and every program – as each performance has been conceived as a “once in a life time” artistic encounter with great music . . . and wonderful people, your friends as well as the musicians of our ensemble.

There is still time to buy one of our many different subscription packages, created specifically for your entertainment needs. Make sure to invite new friends to join you for these concerts.

And, know that there are always new twists when attending ProMusica. This season is no exception. Our pre-concert casual conversations, Insight, will be replaced with a post-concert Postlude opportunity. Following each Southern Theatre concert you are invited to come and meet the musicians of ProMusica, guest artists, and visiting composers. I will be there as your host as we have a chance to discuss what you heard. You can ask questions about the program, and simply take a few moments to share an “after glow” with those around you.

As we did thirty years ago, three decades later, once again, we invite you to “Put a little orchestra in your life.” The start to our big anniversary season is fast approaching. Mark your calendars now, make sure that you have your tickets in hand, invite your friends to join in the festivities, and get ready for an amazing season of great music.

Let the celebration begin.

Enjoy!

Cheers,



Timothy Russell
Music Director