Programme notes
HSO Concert: “Celebration of Man”, Saturday April 9th 2011
Fanfare for the Common Man:
Fanfare for the Common Man is a 20th-century American classical music work written in 1942 in response to the US entry into the Second World War.
The American composer Aaron Copland (November 14, 1900 – December 2, 1990) was instrumental in forging a distinctly American style of composition.
The Marriage of Figaro:
The Marriage of Figaro, (or The Day of Madness), is a comic opera composed in 1786 in four acts by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, based on a stage comedy by Pierre Beaumarchais. Although the play by Beaumarchais was at first banned in Vienna because of its satire of the aristocracy, considered dangerous in the decade before the French Revolution, the opera became one of Mozart's most successful works. The overture is especially famous and is often played as a concert piece.
Mozart (1756 –1791), was a prolific and influential composer of the Classical era, starting his compositions at the age of five. He composed over 600 works, many acknowledged as pinnacles of symphonic, concertante, chamber, piano, operatic, and choral music.
Suite from Tannhauser:
Tannhauser was a 13th century courtier, knight and poet. His legend was made famous in modern times through Richard Wagner's three-act opera Tannhäuser, completed in 1845.
Wilhelm Richard Wagner 1813 –1883) was a German composer primarily known for his operas. Unlike most other opera composers, Wagner wrote both the music and libretto for every one of his stage works.
Wagner’s life was characterised by political exile, turbulent love affairs, poverty and repeated flight from his creditors. His pugnacious personality and often outspoken views on music, politics and society made him a controversial figure during his life, which he remains to this day.
Gabriel's Oboe:
Ennio Morricone, (1928 -) is an Italian composer and conductor who wrote his first compositions at six years old. He is considered one of the most prolific and influential film composers of his era and has written and arranged scores for more than 500 film and TV productions.
The Mission is a film that is loosely based on events that occurred in the borderlands of present-day Argentina, Paraguay, and Brazil around 1750. It focuses on conflicts between the Guarani Indians, the Spanish and Portuguese colonial governments, the Roman Catholic Church, and Jesuit missionaries. Morricone uses music to enhance the depth and meaning of the conflicts.
Finlandia:
Jean Sibelius 1865 –1957) was a Finnish composer of the later Romantic period whose music played an important role in the formation of the Finnish national identity. Finlandia, written in 1899 is a symphonic poem composed for the Press Celebrations of 1899, a covert protest against increasing censorship from the Russian Empire. Finlandia was featured prominently in the score to the 1990 film Die Hard 2, starring Bruce Willis.
Forrest Gump Suite:
Forrest Gump Suite is from the 1994 American comedy-drama film starring Tom Hanks. The story depicts several decades in the life of Forrest Gump, a simple Alabama man who travels across the world, sometimes meeting historical figures, influencing popular culture, and experiencing firsthand historic events of the late 20th century.
Alan Anthony Silvestri (1950 -) is an American film score composer and conductor. Silvestri was 21 years old when he started his film/television composing career. His early style is marked by a strong use of the octatonic scale, as well as an eclectic use of different notes and instruments. Silvestri has received two Academy Award nominations, one for Best Original Music Score for Forrest Gump (1994) and one for Best Original Song for “Believe” on The Polar Express soundtrack.
Pirates of the Caribbean:
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearland At World's End are the soundtracks for the Disney movies of the same title. In Pirates of the Carribean: At World’s End, the main themes from the previous two films are included plus a fusillade of new themes, giving a swashbuckling and romantic effort from ominous beginning to heartrending end.
Klaus Badelt (1967 -) is an award-winning German composer, best known for composing film scores.
Hans Zimmer (1957 -) is a German film score composer and music producer who, over nearly three decades, has composed music for over 100 films including some critically acclaimed film scores. He is now head of the film music division at DreamWorks studios.
William Tell Overture:
The William Tell Overture by Gioachino Rossini is in four sections, each following the next without pause: The Prelude, a slow passage featuring cellos and double basses; The Storm, a dynamic section played by the full orchestra; The call to the dairy cows, featuring the cor anglais and flute; and The Finale, a gallop heralded by trumpets and played by the full orchestra.
William Tell, an expert shot with the crossbow, was forced to shoot an apple off the head of his son, as punishment for refusing to acknowledge the newly appointed Hapsburg ruler.