ABERDEEN, S.D. – The Aberdeen University-Civic Symphony, conducted by Dr. Robert Vodnoy, will perform the closing concert of its 98th Season on Saturday, April 21, at 7:30 p.m. in the Harvey and Cynthia Jewett Theater in the Johnson Fine Arts Center at NSU.
The theme of the program is “War and Peace” and includes music by Handel, Haydn and Tchaikovsky as well as music from films in the Star Wars series, “Dunkirk,” and the video game World of Warcraft. The symphony will be joined by the NSU Concert Choir, the Aberdeen Community Chorus and members of the brass section of the NSU Symphonic Band.
“I am thrilled to have the collaboration of the NSU choral program and Dr. Timothy Woods, the Aberdeen Area Community Choir and its director Rich Wilson, and the band program in collaboration with Dr. Grant Manhart, to make this extraordinary program possible,” Vodnoy said. “The program contains rich and evocative music written by composers who contemplated war and peace through their music. Whether celebrating a treaty of a tenuous peace or dramatically portraying war, these musical expressions provide the space in which to reflect in these turbulent times. Many of these composers’ lives were touched in some way by the grim realities of war and the blessings, however brief, of peace. Each provided his own individual response.”
The program opens with the “Overture to Music from the Royal Fireworks” by George Frideric Handel. It was composed in 1749 for a lavish fireworks display which was planned to celebrate the Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle, the treaty that brought the War of Austrian Succession to an end. The dress rehearsal, without fireworks, was attended by 12,000 people, causing London’s first traffic jam. The premiere performance was a disaster: the fireworks pavilion caught fire, ending the concert! Handel conducted a successful premiere a month later and the work quickly became one of his most popular works.
“The grand scope and optimistic feeling of this music make a perfect overture to the concert,” Vodnoy said.
Second on the program will be a performance of three movements of Joseph Haydn’s “Mass in Time of War.” It is the most popular of the 14 masses Haydn composed. The program will include the Kyrie, Credo and Agnus Dei from the Mass.
Music from Films and Video Games
The second half of the program opens with three works featured in film, one of them also from a video game. The multi-player online role-playing game “World of Warcraft” debuted in 2004, 10 years after “Warcraft: Orcs & Humans” was introduced by Blizzard Entertainment. The stories take place on the planet of Azeroth. Players can control an avatar, explore various landscapes, fight monsters and complete quests. The musical backdrop for the game—composed by Russell Brower, Derek Duke and Jason Hayes—includes “Wrath of the Lich King,” “Lament of the Highborne” and “Lion's Pride.”
Next on the program will be “Nimrod” from Elgar’s “Enigma Variations.” The theme was used by Hans Zimmer for the film “Dunkirk.” In Zimmer’s adaptation, the theme is slowed down to six beats per minute (about 1/10 its original tempo). The tempo was derived from the throbbing of a boat engine, reflecting the heroic rescue depicted in the film. The music is often played at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday in London, an occasion which commemorates the service of British soldiers and civilians during the two World Wars.
Concluding this set of works will be “Star Wars Through the Years,” a medley of themes from several films from the Star Wars franchise, including “Star Wars Main Title,” “The Imperial March,” “Han Solo and the Princess,” “The Jedi Steps,” “Rey's Theme,” “Kylo Ren Arrives at the Battle,” “March of the Resistance” and “Throne Room and Finale.” The music was composed by the legendary John Williams, who has earned 24 Grammy Awards, seven British Academy Film Awards, five Academy Awards, and four Golden Globe Awards. With 51 nominations, he is the second most-nominated person in the Academy’s history (only exceeded by Walt Disney). Williams’ 1977 score to “Star Wars” was selected by the American Film Institute as the greatest film score of all time.
Concert Concludes with ‘1812 Overture’
Concluding the concert will be Tchaikovsky’s “The Year 1812: Festive Overture in E-Flat Major,” popularly known as the “1812 Overture.” It was conceived to be part of a celebration of the 25th anniversary of the coronation of Alexander II of Russia, but unfortunately, the Tsar was assassinated before the celebration could be held! It was debuted in 1882 under a tent near the unfinished Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow. The work memorializes the 1812 defense of Russia against Napoleon’s Grand Army.
Tchaikovsky conducted the work in 1891 at the dedication of Carnegie Hall in New York City. The work is known for the volley of cannon fire, ringing of bells, and brass fanfares which conclude the piece. Its association with the United States Independence Day began in 1974 when Arthur Fiedler included it on a July 4th concert of the Boston Pops.
For the Aberdeen University-Civic Symphony’s performance, there will be an auxiliary brass band and simulation of the Church bells and cannon. Following the work of the conductor Igor Buketoff, the choir will join forces to sing the Russian hymn “O Lord, Save Thy People” at the beginning and end of the piece plus “At the Gate, at my Gate” in the middle of the work.
The Concert Choir will be prepared for the performance by NSU Director of Choral Activities Dr. Timothy Woods. The newly formed Aberdeen Community Chorus will be prepared by Rich Wilson. Members of the brass section of the NSU Symphonic Band will be prepared by Dr. Grant Manhart.
Vodnoy said: “I have conducted this brilliant work at least 35 times over the course of my career, almost always with fireworks at the end of July 4th or other patriotic summer concerts. We are working on ways to simulate this spectacle in an indoor setting. All I can say right now is something special is going to happen!”
Ticket Information
Tickets for the concert are $18 for adults. All students are admitted free of charge. The concert is sponsored by The Molded Fiber Glass Companies.
Tickets are available on the NSU School of Fine Arts webpage (northern.edu/artsnsu), or at the JFAC box office, which is open noon-4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and two hours before concert time. Call the box office at 605-626-2900 or email nsuboxoffice@northern.edu for ticket information. For general concert information, call the School of Fine Arts Office at 605-606-2497, email Robert.vodnoy@northern.edu, or go to www.aberdeensymphony.org.
The orchestra receives a grant from the South Dakota Arts Council. The 2017-2018 season is sponsored by the American News.
Aberdeen University/Civic Symphony
Violin
Beth Neitzert# Aberdeen
Xin Wang Aberdeen
Leandro Fernandez Moutin Rosario, Argentina
Gregg Magera Aberdeen
Allison Miller Aberdeen
Esther Meador Mitchell
Corby Shelsta Watertown
Natalie Lobacz Aberdeen
Violin II
Timothy Woods# Aberdeen
Qi An Jiayuguan, China
Gregory Lyon Seattle, Washington
Hanna Rovang Aberdeen
Nancy Ohnstad Aberdeen
Elizabeth Gustafson Sioux Falls
Collin Moriarty Sioux Falls
Jessie Kolb Aberdeen
Viola
Isaac Seaton# Aberdeen
Abe Wieland Aberdeen
Liz Soladay Fulton
Logan Jensen Aberdeen
Pat Pickard Sioux Falls
Cello
Stuart Davidson# Crocker
Joseph Berns Aberdeen
Grant Duvall Huron
Sara Jones Aberdeen
Yufeng Peng Aberdeen
Bass
Tanner Chilson# Watertown
Lucas Fredrick Aberdeen
Flute and Piccolo
Charity Ost# Ashley, N.D.
Jennem Woolever Grand Forks, N.D.
Catherine Woodmansey Pierre
Oboe and English Horn*
Jamie Stadel# Aberdeen
Debra Kogel* Huron
Brooke Thielbar Hardwick, Minn.
Clarinet and Bass Clarinet*
Molly Royals# Rapid City
Sarah Suko Aberdeen
Joni Willoughby* Midland
Bassoon
Leah Walker# Sioux Falls
Alyssa Ullrich Aberdeen
Horn
Ginny Lewis# Aberdeen
Elsa Swanson Chaska, Minn.
McKinley Hoselton Richardson, N.D.
Gretchen Sharp Bath
Trumpet
Colton Schaefer# Wilmot
Patrick Calvillo Rapid City
Dylan Rausch Yankton
Marissa Hanley Sioux Falls
Trombone
Brady Vandevort# Rapid City
Scott Glodt Hoven
Chris Allen Rapid City
Tuba
Travis Netzer# Aberdeen
Timpani and Percussion
Roger Frank# Aberdeen
Kori Kerwin Chamberlain
Balie Albrecht Rapid City
Tabitha Schmidt Huron
Tanner Schabot-Shultis Aberdeen
#principal player
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