An Afternoon of Dance Set for Sunday with Clarion University Symphony Orchestra, Stellare String Quartet

Ron Wilshire

Ron Wilshire

Published May 6, 2018 4:25 am
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CLARION, Pa. (EYT) — The Clarion University Symphony Orchestra will present a concert on Sunday, May 6, 2018, at 3:00 p.m. in the Marwick-Boyd Auditorium.

(Pictured above: Dr. Cathy Herrera and Dr. Brent Register)

Under the direction of Dr. Casey C. Teske, the theme of the concert is “An Afternoon of Dance” which presents various compositions that incorporate dance music.  The symphony orchestra is joined by featured guest artist The Stellare String Quartet and a special performance by Herrera-Register Duo with Dr. Cathy Herrera, flute, and Dr. Brent Register, guitar.

The concert opens with Saint-Saëns’ “Bacchanale” from the opera Samson and Delilah.  The opera tells the biblical story of the opera title. The bacchanale is a celebratory dance performed by Delilah and her priests.  It begins softly but turns savage as the priests and priestesses dance wildly in celebration.

“Ritual Fire Dance” from El Amor Brujo by Spanish composer Falla ends the first part of the Symphony Orchestra program. This composition captures the exotic sight of a middle-aged Gypsy dancing furiously around the campfire as she conjures disquieted spirits.

The Stellare String Quartet will start their portion of the concert with Strauss’ very famous On the Beautiful Danube.   Next, Carlos Gardel’s Por una Cabezarefers to a Spanish horseracing phrase meaning “by a head” or winning a race by the length of one head. The lyrics speak of a compulsive horse-track gambler who compares his addiction for horses with his attraction to women.  The quartet will end with Bernstein’s America” from West Side Story.  This composition is an homage to American life with a distinctive Spanish musical style.

The orchestra continues the last part of the concert and is joined with a special performance by Dr. Cathy Herrera, flute, and Dr. Brent Register, guitar.  The Herrera-Register Duo will perform Relexiones Españolas by Luys Milán and arranged by Dr. Brent Register.  This is a Spanish composition from the Renaissance period and was originally composed for solo vihuela (predecessor of the modern guitar).

The next piece, Hungarian Dance No. 5 by Johannes Brahms was originally written for piano with 4 four hands and is based on melodies of the Roma culture. These lively folk melodies embody a national style and his affection for Gypsy fiddlers.

The concert ends with Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from West Side Story that was a smash hit on Broadway and then on film. Mambo, from those dances, is a violent reality that reignites the smoldering rivalry separating two gangs.

The concert is free and open to the public.

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