A Night of Wintry Granduer highlights robust Russian and Hungarian works, including selections from Tchaikovsky, Rimsky-Korsakov, and Brahms.
Program Notes & Selected Video
6th Grade & Symphonic Strings
Westminster Prelude and Fugue, Shaffer
Stately, the Westminster Prelude and Fugue opens with chimes of cathedral bells in the morning sun, heralding a royal processional.
Greensleeves,arr. Williams
Delicate and majestic, Greensleeves flows with the beauty of a fine lady.
Kalinka, arr. Bernard-Stevens
Buoyant and playful, this Russian folksong about the “little snowball bush” (kalinka) bounds ever faster to a frenetic end.
Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, Tchaikovsky arr. Longfield
A part of the larger ballet The Nutcracker, a young girl Clara saves the bespelled Nutcracker from doom, transforming him back into his true self as Prince of the Land of Sweets. He whisks Clara to his magical kingdom, whereupon the Sugar Plum Fairy dances in celebration of his return.
Phoenix Strings
The Nutcracker Suite,Tchaikovsky
I. March
A profusion of fanfare as the Prince and Clara enter the night kingdom of the Land of Sweets.
II. Arabian Dance
Slow, sinuous, exotic, Arabian Dancers present warm, luxurious coffee to the royal pair in gratitude.
III. Trepak
Dizzying, whirling, leaping leather-booted Russian folk-dancers bestow succulent candy-canes to Clara in honor of the Prince’s return.
Chamber Ensembles
Vivace
Quartet no.13 in a minor, Op 29, Schubert
Blue Phoenix
A selection of Christmas favorites including Silent Night, We Wish You a Merry Christmas, and Jingle Bell Rock.
Concert Orchestra
Ice Sculptures,Balmages
Translucent images, rising out of frozen planes, luminous.
Ave Maria, Traditional
Insistent, Ave Maria is an impassioned supplication for forgiveness.
Dance of the Tumblers, Rimsky- Korsakov
Part of the larger work The Snow Maiden, troupes of strapping entertainers bound in the city square to celebrate the arrival of the Tsar.
Phoenix Orchestra
Hungarian Dance No. 5, Brahms arr. McAlister
Based on a folk tunes of gypsy fiddlers, Dance No. 5 is a raucous contrast of dynamics, tempos, and styles.
The Moldau, Smetana arr. Wang
From the composer himself, the Moldau flows “…through woods and meadows, landscapes where a farmer’s wedding is celebrated, the round dance of the mermaids in the night’s moonshine; on the nearby rocks loom proud castles, palaces and ruins aloft.”
Russian Sailor’s Dance, Gliere arr. Hoffman
Robust, the opening frenzy leads to a stalwart statement of the primary theme, from which a whirlwind of permutations barrels towards the final prestissimo.