Journeys Near and Far. Our repertoire is a selection of challenging, evocative pieces that conjure images of exotic lands, afar in space and time. Others draw the listener inward, into a place of reflection.
Program Notes & Selected Videos
Symphonic Strings & 6th Grade Strings
William Tell Overture (Rossini arr. Gillespie)
A romping opener of galloping subdivision and bombastic fanfare. An energizing piece for young orchestras.
Contradanse en Rondeau (Mozart arr. Dackow)
Stately dances of the high classical period; excellent examples of entertaining music for social gatherings of European aristocracy. 위풍당당한 클래식 춤곡이다. 영국 귀족과 왕족 모임에 적합한 음악이다.
Finlandia (Sibelius arr. Phillippe)
Broad and rich, Finlandia conjures visions of vast expanses of deep valleys and tree-thatched mountains ringing clarion with the call for independence.
La Rejouissance from “Royal Fireworks Music” (Handel arr. Meyer)
Marked and staccato, a textbook Baroque Allegro-style piece, La Rejouissance (The Rejoicing) energetically launches the program to new heights.
Aeolius (Fenske)
Ominous, the primary melody opens in e minor (aeolian mode), woven through thick textures as counter melodies intertwine and climax into a darkened cathedral of harmony.
Phoenix Strings
Chapter One (Nunez)
An unusual design, Nunez deconstructs and recombines elemental components of music, leading the ensemble on a wonderland-esque journey through triadic harmonies and melodic permutations
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzwaw9sGtg
Nimrod (Elgar arr. Bender)
A canonic piece, the poignant theme builds at an achingly tempered pace, blossoming into sustained intensity, ephemeral evaporates into quiet repose.
Incantations (Meyer)
Ethereal, the opening inspires visions of a fog-laden landscape, chilled with the ominous roaming of an unknown presence, suddenly erupting into a rage of swooping melodies and razored chords.
Concert Orchestra
Farandole (Bizet arr. Isaac)
Aggressive, Farandole’s forceful opening takes us on a fierce battle of two themes, first a hammered assertive statement followed by a lightly swift staccato melody which meld into a satisfying conclusion.
Dorian Variations (Israel)
A set of ten variations on a theme, Dorian Variations carries the listener through a gallery of musical contrasts, transitioning from allegro, accented and curt, to hushed, legato, themes as a babbling brook, closing in a dense, impassioned chorale.
Waltz No. 2 (Shostakovich arr. Lavender)
In lilting 3 / 4, Waltz No.2 sweeps the audience into a flurry of b minor, ensnared in soaring violin and cello themes, transporting us back to glamorous balls of the Viennese Romantic period.
Pictures at an Exhibition (Moussorgsky arr. del Borgo)
Inspired by great images of Russia’s past, the thematic features paint mundane scenes such as “Ballet of the Unhatched Chicks” or, in robust brass-fanfare columns of harmony, entering the “Great Halls of Kiev.”
Phoenix Orchestra
Fugue in g minor (Bach arr. Grant)
Triumphant and driving, the Fugue in g minor opens with the primary statement, quickly branching into a maze of melodic statements entering in canon, transposed and permutated, weaving a thick contrapuntal labyrinth of thematic paths, culminating in the bold dominance of the final bass thematic entrance.
Sicilienne, Op. 78 (Fauré arr. McAlister)
Originally an expressive solo for cello or violin, the Sicilienne’s arching melodies and rich harmonies have captured the attentions of ensembles around the world, taking the listener on a voyage de l’amour.
Capriccio Espagnol (Rimsky – Korsakov arr. Dackow)
According to the composer, Rimsky-Korsakov, “The Capriccio glitter[s] with the virtuosity of orchestral colour. The Spanish themes, predominantly of dance character, provided me with rich material for employing various orchestral effects,” leading the audience in a dance through the countryside of Spain.
Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis (Williams arr. Hoffman)
Opening with a shimmering thread from the first violins, the Fantasia expresses all the virtues of the string orchestra, heaving from the harmonic whispers glowing on the cusp of hearing to oceanic walls of sound enveloping the audience in blinding radiance.