What’s the buzz about Great B’s of Classical Music? This is a Waltham Philharmonic Orchestra Concert that will be performed at the Kennedy School on Saturday, February 15th, at 7:30 p.m., conducted by Music Director Michael Korn.
The featured composers are Johann Sebastian Bach and Max Bruch, each having his own distinctive style and era. Bach’s music is from the Baroque era, and Bruch’s is from the Romantic. The Baroque Era began around 1600, and is noted by its “ornamentation” of music, with a pronounced use of brass and woodwinds, as well as keyboard (e.g., harpsichord) and strings. The Romantic Era began around the late 18th and early 19th centuries; characteristics are themes of fantasy, the spiritual, nature, and sometimes national identity.
You might say that, in this concert, Bach “goes Romantic.” The Toccata and Fugue in D minor will be very familiar to everyone as that wonderfully haunting and popular piece that usually starts with an organ. Ray Daniels, Associate Conductor of the WPO, puts it this way: “People are familiar with Bach, but this time the Toccata and Fugue will be played as a transcription—that is, it will feature different instruments, starting with violins.” However, the piece is no less haunting and beautiful for this variation! And to hear it as a live performance will be a thrilling experience.
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Max Bruch is not as widely known as Bach, although his Violin Concerto No. 1 is very beloved by music aficionados (and a great favorite of this blogger!). Ray Daniels points out that “Bruch wrote some pieces with Jewish themes [although history doesn’t show him to be of Jewish origin], and his music was actually banned by the Nazis when they were in power. His music subsequently was largely forgotten in Germany.” But Bruch’s music is extraordinarily “accessible,” that is, it’s rich with deep emotion and sweeps over listeners in a way that everyone can relate to and enjoy. It’s very colorful, and almost “storytelling,” as Romantic music is inclined to be.
There will also be a “surprise” encore at this concert—another “B,” to be sure! This blog may offer some hints before the concert, so stay tuned…this will be a great way to extend your Valentine’s celebration, so bring everyone you love!
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The Waltham Philharmonic Orchestra is pleased to present concerts of great music programmed by Music Director Michael Korn. The orchestra enjoys offering favorites and unexpected musical thrills to our local audience, which has grown since its beginnings in 1985 and helped to make the WPO even more popular over the last several years.
The WPO is also very excited about our May 3rd concert, South of the Border!, which will take place with the participation of the students at the Plympton Elementary School, and feature the winner of this year’s Student Concerto Competition. We’ll have more information about this great event soon.
We hope to see you at the Great Bs concert, and all the concerts that the WPO, Waltham’s longest-running classical music organization, will offer you in this and future seasons! We thank all our friends, supporters, and loyal audience for your invaluable support.
Great Bs of Classical Music
Saturday, February 15th, 7;30 p.m.
Kennedy Middle School, 655 Lexington St., Waltham
Free Parking
Tickets: $20 Adult; $15 Senior; Children admitted FREE with paying adult.
Waltham Philharmonic Orchestra
