Composer and Baltimore native Christopher Rouse’s “Concerto for Orchestra” will make its East Coast premiere Friday and Sunday at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall.
This grand and dramatic work has been the result of Rouse’s long association with Maestra Marin Alsop and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and according to Concertmaster Jon Carney, the musicians couldn’t be happier to show off, or — in many ways — be challenged.
“As is typically the case with this genre, it is the members of the orchestra who are the soloists, Rouse said. “Each is given passages requiring everything from singing lyricism to challenging virtuosity, and this work is essentially ‘about’ allowing each player a chance to shine.”
Carney is quick to point out that, as opposed to an individual instrument performing against the backdrop of full orchestra, each section (first violins, cellos, etc.), will perform very melodic yet difficult passages.
“The first violins play high notes, almost off the top of the instrument,” Carney noted. “It’s very hard to tune sixteen or more violinists to play so [spot] on, and that is the most challenging part of the work.”
Not an instrumental piece, Carney sees it as an abstract work for orchestra.
Also on the program is Tchaikovsky’s “Symphony No. 6, Pathetique,” the composer’s last and greatest symphony, a passionate, yet moody piece that allegedly served as a harbinger of death for the composer.
Alsop has also chosen the Pathetique as the first program of her new Saturday series “Off the Cuff.” In the dual role of both conductor and host, Alsop will present a 60- to 90-minute program that takes an in-depth look at masterpieces of the symphonic repertoire.
Lively commentary, and musical samples will precede the piece before it is played in its entirety.
Opening Friday’s and Sunday’s program, Bach’s “Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 in G Major,” illustrates the composer at his most cheerful and invigorating.
“What’s not to love about the Brandenburg Concerto? It’s a nice little appetizer to a very heavy program,” Carney said.
BSO Performs Bach, Rouse and Tchaikovsky
>> Venue: Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall
1212 Cathedral St., Baltimore
>> Time: 8 p.m. Friday, 7 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday
>> Tickets: $26 to $80
>> Info: 410-783-8000; www.bsomusic.org
NOTE: Saturday’s “Off the Cuff” program begins at 7 p.m. and features only Tchaikovsky.
