MAESTRO'S MUSINGS by YAACOV BERGMAN

All American - January 24, 2004

Opening the program is the "Adagio for Strings", a masterpiece for string orchestra by the great American composer Samuel Barber. This piece was composed in 1936 as the slow movement of a string quartet in B minor. The first performance by string orchestra occurred November1938 during a broadcast of the NBC Symphony, under the direction of Arturo Toscanini.
The "Adagio for Strings" will be followed by a new chamber opera, "Beau Nash", composed by Emmy and Peabody-award winner Michael Valenti. The story is based on the play by Constance D'Arcy Mackay and portrays a touching reflection of the past and a former love. This one act opera was composed for the Portland Chamber Orchestra, and this performance will be its world premiere.
Adding a touch of jazz to this program with a second world premiere is "Chante d'Amour", a work by composer and jazz pianist Tom Simon. This set of variations on a Gregorian chant for jazz trio and orchestra represents the composer's impressions of his first visit to Paris.
The program will conclude with the popular ballet suite, "Appalachian Spring", an inspiring collaboration of two great American artists, choreographer Martha Graham, and composer Aaron Copland. I look forward to sharing this wonderful evening of music with you.

Maestro's Musings are excerpted from Clef Notes, the newsletter of the Portland Chamber Orchestra.