West Michigan Symphony Opens 71st Season on a Romantic Note

Online, August 16, 2010 (Newswire.com) - Muskegon, Michigan - The West Michigan Symphony will open its 71st season Friday, Sept. 24, and Saturday, Sept. 25, with a musical passage through the Romantic period featuring celebrated works by celebrated German composers.

"The Romantic Road: A Passionate Journey" will feature two prevailing works of the time - and two of the greatest pieces of classical music ever composed: Richard Wagner's overture to "Tannhäuser" and Johannes Brahms Symphony No. 4. International violin virtuoso Bella Hristova will be the guest artist, performing Max Bruch's Violin Concerto No. 1. The programs begin at 7:30 p.m. each night.

The expressive freedom of the Romantic period dominated classical music for much of the 19th century. Often defined by its use of large ensembles, extreme emotion and wild orchestration, the music from this period broke through many of the boundaries established by composers of classical music while still maintaining classical forms of arrangement.

"This is not a program that I put together lightly; it is a program that calls for a mature orchestra with an extremely good technique and a burnished sound," said Scott Speck, music director for WMS. "You simply can't play Brahms in a raw way: It has to have maturity, understanding, depth and good technique. This concert will showcase the extraordinary talents of WMS."

Wagner's compositions are most notable for their complex texture and elaborate use of musical themes. His vividly expressive "Tannhäuser" is no exception. Written as an opera in three acts, "Tannhäuser" depicts the tension between pure spiritual love and that of a more sensual, physical love. Both lyrical and triumphant, the overture is at times solemn and devout while at other points wild and frenzied, and captures the transformative style for which the influential composer has become known.

Virtuosic, expressive and at times commanding, Bruch's Violin Concerto No. 1 defines the essence of Romanticism, when the expression of feelings was paramount and concertos were intended as showcases for soloists to articulate themselves musically. It is one of the most popular violin concertos to come out of the Romantic period, and many critics have claimed that it represents the apex of the tradition.

Violinist Bella Hristova will join the Symphony as guest soloist. A native of Bulgaria, she began her violin studies at the age of six. Hristova won first prize in the 2008-09 Young Concert Artists International Auditions and was awarded a career grant from the Salon de Virtuosi in New York. She has appeared on Garrison Keillor's "A Prairie Home Companion" and at multiple festivals, including The Grand Teton Festival and the Marlboro Music Festival, She currently performs as a member of Chamber Music Society Two at Lincoln Center.

"Bella Hristova is quickly making a name for herself on the world stage and is truly a rising star," Speck said. "She's exceptional enough that we were eager to introduce our West Michigan audiences to her youthful energy and amazing musicality. We are thrilled to welcome her to the stage of the Frauenthal and look forward to sharing the experience with WMS concertgoers."

Continuing in the tradition of great musical masters like Mozart and Beethoven, Brahms took more than 40 years before he challenged himself to compose a symphony. His final - Symphony No. 4 - became one of the two prevailing movements of 19th century music. At once majestic, lyrical, deep and rousing, it is considered to be one of the greatest pieces of music ever written.

"This is definitely a concert of the celebrated German masters," said Speck. "I like the pairing of Brahms and Wagner together in one concert because the two were seen as bitter rivals, which I find fascinating. I think the public manufactured this rivalry, but it was all the rage at the time. The truth is the two major pieces in this program, written by these two composers, represent two of the prevailing movements in music in the 19th century. That's something to celebrate."

All WMS concerts take place in the historic Frauenthal Center for Performing Arts in downtown Muskegon. Season tickets are on sale now. Prices range from $80-$280 for the Full series (eight concerts); $50-$175 for the Masterworks series (five classical concerts); and $30-$105 for the Pops series (three concerts). For additional season ticket packages and details, go to www.westmichigansymphony.org. All season tickets may be purchased in person at the West Michigan Symphony Ticket Office or by calling 231.726.3231.

Individual WMS regular season single tickets are $10, $25 and $35 and may be purchased online at www.westmichigansymphony.org; in person at the West Michigan Symphony Ticket Office, Suite 409 (4th floor) in the Frauenthal Center for the Performing Arts, 425 W. Western Ave., Muskegon; or by calling 231.726.3231.

The eight-concert series, which concludes June 3-4, 2011, will feature such highlights as a salute to contemporary composer John Williams, a multi-media sustainability collaboration with Grand Valley State University, and a return engagement by Las Vegas talent Steve Lippia.

About West Michigan Symphony
As one of the few professional regional orchestras in Michigan, West Michigan Symphony has played a leading role in the region's cultural community for more than 70 years. Founded as the West Shore Symphony Orchestra, WMS now serves a regional audience with eight pairs of concerts annually, along with dozens of educational and outreach activities for children and adults. WMS oversees operations for the West Michigan Youth Symphony. For more information, visit www.westmichigansymphony.org.