The Asheville
Symphony’s October concert—“In the Key of EEEEEEEEEEE!”—features two works
perfect for the Halloween season: Saint-Saëns’ Danse Macabre, and Schmitt’s La
Tragédie de Salomé. The evening concludes with the symphony’s own concertmaster
Jason Posnock and guest cellist Alistair MacRae performing Brahms’ Concerto for
Violin and Cello. The concert takes place Saturday, October 22 at 8 p.m. in
Thomas Wolfe Auditorium under the direction of ASO Music Director Daniel Meyer.
The program begins with
Saint-Saëns’ Danse Macabre, or “Dance
of Death.” This waltz from beyond the grave includes the rattling bones of a
skeleton, in the form of a xylophone, and a devilish bow playing a de-tuned
solo violin. The musical tone poem, based on Henri Cazalis’ poem of the same
name, depicts the legend that arose in Europe during the Middle Ages: at
midnight on Halloween night Death comes to cemeteries to play his violin and
rouse skeletons from their sleep to dance until daybreak.
In another musical fright, French
composer Florent Schmitt’s La Tragédie de
Salomé presents a wildly lush score to one of the Bible’s most tragic
stories—Salome’s insistence on the beheading of John the Baptist. An ‘unsung
opera,’ Schmitt’s piece teems with aural imagery that still shocks the ear
today.
The concert’s finale is decidedly
more harmonious as two friends collaborate with the ASO, performing music of
Johannes Brahms. The ASO’s own concertmaster Jason Posnock and his friend Alistair
MacRae join forces on Brahms’ Concerto for Violin and Cello, a brilliant
interplay between the duet partners against the warmth and depth of Brahms’
romantic-era orchestration.
“It is a particular pleasure to
feature one of our own wonderful musicians in the soloist role for this concert,”
says Daniel Meyer, ASO Music Director. “Jason Posnock has had such an important
influence on the quality and musicianship of the Asheville Symphony since he
joined our ranks as leader of the violins, and I know our audience will enjoy the
opportunity to hear his artistry in the Brahms piece in partnership with his
good friend, cellist Alistair MacRae.”
Jason Posnock has been
concertmaster with the Asheville Symphony since 2007. He has performed
regularly with prominent American ensembles including the Philadelphia
Orchestra and the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Alistair MacRae is principal
cello of the Princeton Symphony Orchestra. His eclectic collaborations include
Paul Taylor Dance Company, the Westminster Choir, tap dancer Savion Glover, and
the rock band The Scorpions.
Single tickets for all concerts
are $22-62, depending on seating section (reduced youth pricing is available).
Single tickets and season ticket packages can be purchased online at
ashevillesymphony.org, by phone at 828-254-7046, or in person at the U.S.
Cellular Center box office at 87 Haywood Street.
The Asheville Symphony Orchestra
performs and promotes symphonic music for the benefit, enjoyment and education
of the people of Western North Carolina. The ASO presents concerts in the Thomas
Wolfe Auditorium in Asheville’s U.S. Cellular Center. Related organizations
include the Asheville Symphony Guild, Asheville Symphony Chorus, Asheville
Symphonettes, and education initiatives such as the Asheville Buncombe Youth
Orchestra, Music in the Schools, MusicWorks!, Spotlight on Young Musicians,
Symphony Talks, and pre-concert lectures.
Masterworks 2
IN THE KEY OF EEEEEEEEEEE! — BRAHMS’ DOUBLE
October 22, 2016 • 8 p.m.
Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
Daniel Meyer, conductor
Jason Posnock, violin
Alistair MacRae, cello
Program:
Saint-Saëns Danse
Macabre
Schmitt La Tragédie de
Salomé
Brahms Concerto for Violin and Cello
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